Novelty Hill Merlot – This Ain’t Your Grandmother’s Merlot

Start a love affair with Washington Merlot with the Novelty Hill Merlot.

95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon from Frenchman Hills, the Horse Heaven Hills and Tri-Cities in the Columbia Valley, Washington. The wine is aged for 22 months in new and one year old barrels (65% French oak).

The Novelty Hill Merlot has an SRP of $23 and is available for as low as $16. 2,936 cases produced. Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

Novelty Hill’s name is inspired by the Latin In Novale Novella, “In virgin ground I plant young vines.” Novelty Hill relies on our Stillwater Creek estate vineyard and other top Columbia Valley vineyards located east of the Cascade Mountains. The vineyards enjoy a warm, dry growing season perfect for producing world-class wine grapes.

14.4% Alcohol

Today we continue our love affair with Washington Merlot with another fabulous pick from the Columbia Valley. Today’s wine comes from Mike Januik’s Novelty Hill label. Mike was winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle for ten years before leaving to start his own Januik Winery. If you haven’t yet experienced what a great Washington Merlot tastes like, this is great place to start.

The 2013 Novelty Hill Merlot begins with a very pleasing aroma of ripe red and black cherries that are infused with just the right amount of spice along with notes of chocolate and vanilla. In the mouth the wine is smooth and tasty with savory black cherry, spice and chocolate combining seamlessly and offering plenty of depth and complexity. It ends dry and with good length. This is a great example of Washington Merlot and a wine that is on par with one of our favorite splurges, the Northstar Merlot which costs almost twice the price.

Looking for more great wine from Washington under $20? Find out more about Washington wines plus all of our recommended picks right here.

See a listing of local retailers selling the Novelty Hill Merlot here.