Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied California red wine bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This is the wine that launched the Josh Cellars brand — the original Cabernet Sauvignon that established the house style and set the quality benchmark for every varietal that followed. The 2019 vintage earned 91 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the publication named Josh Cellars its American Winery of the Year in 2021.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Oak-aged minimum 1 year  |  Producer: Josh Cellars

Production & Heritage

Josh Cellars was founded by Joseph Carr, who named the brand after his father. Cabernet Sauvignon was the first wine Carr produced, making it the cornerstone of the entire portfolio. Grapes are hand-selected from multiple premier California growing regions, including North Coast vineyards in Sonoma and Napa Valley, Central Coast sites in Paso Robles and Monterey, and Mendocino. After harvest, the fruit is fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve varietal purity, then transferred to oak barrels where it matures for a minimum of one year. This multi-region sourcing strategy allows the winemaking team to blend for consistency and complexity vintage after vintage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe blackberry and black cherry, followed by layers of toasted hazelnut and vanilla bean. A subtle thread of cinnamon and baking spice adds warmth without overwhelming the fruit.

Taste: The entry is round and juicy, led by blackcurrant and ripe plum. At mid-palate, cassis and dark chocolate emerge alongside roasted almond notes. The oak influence contributes baking spice and vanilla that integrate seamlessly with the concentrated fruit.

Finish: The finish is long and satisfying, carried by fine, firm tannins that provide structure without harshness. Lingering flavors of toasted oak, hazelnut, and blackberry persist well after the last sip.

How to Drink Josh Cellars Cab

Serve at 60–65°F for the best balance of fruit expression and tannin integration. This Cabernet drinks well on its own and benefits from 15–20 minutes of breathing time in the glass.

• Classic Cabernet Sangria: The ripe dark fruit and spice notes hold up beautifully against citrus and brandy in a red sangria build.
• Kalimotxo: The wine's juicy, smooth profile and approachable tannins make it an ideal base for this simple red wine and cola combination popular in Spain.
• Red Wine Spritzer: A splash of sparkling water opens up the blackberry and vanilla aromas for a lighter warm-weather pour.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want a reliable, well-made California Cabernet without overthinking the selection
• Bringing a bottle to a dinner party — recognizable label, crowd-pleasing style
• Stocking a home wine collection with a versatile, food-friendly red
• Introducing someone to California Cabernet Sauvignon for the first time

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Josh Cellars Cab taste like? It delivers ripe blackberry, black cherry, and cassis fruit backed by toasted hazelnut, vanilla, and baking spice from oak aging. The tannins are firm but smooth, making it full-bodied yet approachable.

How does Josh Cellars Cab compare to Tribute Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are California Cabernets in a similar price tier, but Tribute's Cabernet tends toward a bolder, grippier tannin structure at 14% ABV. Josh Cellars sits at 13.5% ABV and leans more toward rounded, fruit-forward smoothness with prominent hazelnut and vanilla oak character.

Is Josh Cellars Cab good for beginners? Yes — the smooth tannins, generous fruit, and touch of oak sweetness make it one of the more welcoming introductions to California Cabernet Sauvignon. It rewards casual sipping without demanding deep wine knowledge.

Where is Josh Cellars Cab made? Josh Cellars is a California wine brand that sources Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from multiple premium growing regions including Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Monterey, and Mendocino. The wine is produced and bottled in California.

What foods pair well with Josh Cellars Cab? Grilled ribeye steak matches the wine's firm tannins and dark fruit weight. Braised short ribs mirror its baking spice and chocolate undertones. Aged cheddar highlights the toasted hazelnut and vanilla notes. Mushroom risotto complements its earthy oak character. Dark chocolate desserts echo the mid-palate cocoa flavors.

What sizes does Josh Cellars Cab come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Josh Cellars Cab worth the price? Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon positions as a premium everyday wine, sitting in the accessible tier below single-vineyard and reserve California Cabernets. For its price class, the multi-region sourcing, minimum one year of oak aging, and consistent critical recognition — including a 91-point Wine Enthusiast score — represent strong value.

Why Josh Cellars Cab?

This is the wine that built the Josh Cellars brand from the ground up — the first varietal Joseph Carr ever produced, and the expression that set the standard for everything that followed. The multi-region sourcing across Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Monterey, and Mendocino gives the winemaking team flexibility that single-appellation producers at this price point simply do not have. Wine Enthusiast's 91-point score on the 2019 vintage and the brand's 2021 American Winery of the Year recognition confirm that consistency year over year. In a crowded field of California Cabernets, this bottle delivers oak-aged complexity and ripe, layered fruit that punches above its weight class.