The Wines of Josh Cellars

Joseph Carr discovered his love for wine at a young age, working his way up in the restaurant industry from a wine steward to a world-class sommelier and later, a wine executive. In 2007, he left it all behind to follow his dream of making his own wines from California.

Josh Cellars was created as a tribute to founder Joseph Carr's father, Josh Carr. Josh instilled the importance of hard work and family into his kids - values that inspire Joseph still today. In the early days, Joseph worked out of his garage, starting Josh Cellars with only one varietal - Cabernet Sauvignon. But, today, Josh Cellars offers a diverse portfolio of well-balanced and delicious wines made to exacting standards.

Josh Cellars is a negociant brand, so they don't own a winery or any vineyards, much like some of the world's greatest chateaux in Bordeaux & Burgundy. They do, however, work with California's best growers to make some really nice wines.

Their winemaker, Wayne Donaldson, spent over a decade making sparkling wine at one of the world's largest and most prestigious champagne houses, where blending distinct lots is essential to making great wine. Those experiences have made him uniquely qualified to source and assemble wine blends of great character and complexity, in the signature Josh Cellars style: fruit-forward and rich, with approachable tannins and a long finish.

Josh Cellar Wines include these wonderful offerings pictured above (from left to right):

• 2019 Josh Cellars Reserve Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.99)

  • Gapes are crushed and cold-soaked for 24 to 48 hours

  • Fermentation occurs for 10 to 15 days with additional Malolactic conversion

  • Aged in 20% new French oak

  • Scents of bright blueberry with notes of earth & spice

  • Flavors of robust plum, blackberry, coffee and vanilla

• 2018 Josh Cellars Reserve North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.99)

  • Grapes are from Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino Counties

  • Fermentation occurs for 10 to 15 days with additional Malolactic conversion

  • Aged in 25% new French oak

  • On the nose, this wine is bursting with dark fruits and roasted nuts, with hints of fresh black cherries, blackcurrant, rose petal, and roasted walnuts

  • On the palate it shows rich favors of black cherries, toasted hazelnuts, fresh sage, mocha, and subtle vanilla and oak favors

  • The tannins are firm in their relative youth but will soften with age (recommend decanting)

• 2020 Josh Cellars Pinot Noir ($18.99)

  • On the nose, this Pinot Noir has aromas of bright cherries, raspberries and toasty oak

  • On the palate, it has initial flavors of dark cherry and vanilla bean along with the classic secondary notes of earth and warm spice, with medium tannins and a long finish

• Josh Cellars Merlot 2019 ($16.99)

  • 90 Points Wine Enthusiast

  • Fermentation in stainless steel tanks for l0 to 14 days, then Malolactic conversion

  • Aged in 10% new French oak

  • Includes scents of violets, sweet plums, and vanilla bean

  • On the palate, it is soft, with flavors of plums, blackberries and cherries, and a long cocoa powder finish

• Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($16.99)

  • 91 Points - Wine Enthusiast

  • Fermented for 10 to 15 days then undergoes Malolactic conversion to soften the natural acids

  • Aged in 20% new French oak

  • Aromas of intense dark fruits, cinnamon, clove, and subtle hints of oak

  • On the palate there are flavors of black cherries and blackberries, vanilla and oak

  • This one finishes long with round, soft tannins

All Josh Cellars wines are all available from their website as well as being widely available at stores throughout the U.S. These are all fine examples of wines that fit right in as Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Samples Provided by Josh Cellars