Josh Cellars Hearth Cabernet Sauvignon

Josh Cellars Hearth Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied, oak-aged California Cabernet Sauvignon bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Released as part of the Hearth sub-line from Josh Cellars — the brand founded by Joseph Carr and named Wine Enthusiast's American Winery of the Year in 2021 — this expression emphasizes richness and warmth, leaning into ripe dark fruit and toasted oak character that sets it apart from the winery's standard Cabernet.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Winery: Josh Cellars (Joseph Carr)

Production & Heritage

Joseph Carr founded Josh Cellars as a tribute to his father, sourcing fruit from vineyards across California to achieve consistent quality at scale. The Hearth Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and aged in oak barrels, a process that contributes layers of vanilla, toast, and structure to the finished wine. The slightly elevated 14.5% ABV — higher than many standard California Cabernets — signals a riper picking window and a deliberately full, warming style designed for cooler-weather drinking.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Black plum and ripe blackberry dominate the nose, followed by undercurrents of dark chocolate and subtle herbal hints. A second pass reveals toasted oak and a gentle earthiness beneath the fruit.

Taste: The entry is plush and fruit-forward, with baked plum and black cherry coating the palate immediately. At mid-palate, chocolate and toasted hazelnut emerge, balanced by soft tannins and a thread of vanilla from the oak aging. The overall impression is round and generous without tipping into syrupy territory.

Finish: Long and lingering, with dark berry and cocoa notes that slowly fade into warm oak spice. The tannins remain polished through the close, leaving a satisfying, slightly savory aftertaste.

How to Drink Hearth Cabernet

This wine shows its best character at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, poured into a large-bowled glass that allows the dark fruit aromas to open up. Decanting for 20–30 minutes softens the tannins further and amplifies the chocolate and hazelnut mid-palate. For cocktail-curious drinkers: a Cabernet Sangria with sliced stone fruit and cinnamon plays well off the baked plum notes; a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) makes a surprisingly fun warm-weather serve given the wine's bold fruit; and a classic Red Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and an orange twist offers a lighter take that preserves the blackberry core.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring grilled red meat or hearty pasta
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing bottle to a casual dinner party
• Cold-weather fireside sipping without breaking the budget
• Introducing a friend to fuller-bodied California Cabernet Sauvignon

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hearth Cabernet taste like? It delivers bold baked plum, black cherry, and blackberry flavors layered with dark chocolate, toasted hazelnut, and vanilla oak — all wrapped in a full-bodied, warming texture with polished tannins.

How does Hearth Cabernet compare to the standard Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon? The Hearth expression is built for a richer, more intense experience, with higher alcohol (14.5% ABV) and more pronounced oak-driven chocolate and toasted nut flavors. The standard Josh Cellars Cabernet tends toward a lighter, more fruit-centered profile that drinks a bit more casually.

Is Hearth Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes — its ripe fruit concentration, balanced tannins, and long finish make it an enjoyable glass on its own, especially when served slightly below room temperature and given a short decant.

Where is Hearth Cabernet made? Josh Cellars sources Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from vineyards across the state of California, blending fruit from multiple growing regions to achieve a consistent, full-bodied house style.

What foods pair well with Hearth Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak matches the wine's bold tannins and dark fruit; slow-braised short ribs echo its baked plum richness; aged cheddar complements the toasted oak notes; dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa undertones; and mushroom risotto connects with the subtle earthy, savory finish.

What sizes does Hearth Cabernet come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Hearth Cabernet worth the price? Positioned in the accessible everyday tier of California Cabernet, the Hearth expression delivers above-average richness and complexity for its price bracket, making it strong value for drinkers who favor a bolder, oakier red wine style.

Why Hearth Cabernet?

The Hearth line exists specifically for drinkers who want more heft and warmth than the standard Josh Cellars range provides. Its 14.5% ABV and deliberate oak aging produce a wine with genuine textural depth — chocolate, hazelnut, and vanilla layered over concentrated dark fruit — that punches above its weight class in the popular California Cabernet category. Coming from a winery recognized as Wine Enthusiast's 2021 American Winery of the Year, the Hearth Cabernet benefits from a production team with proven large-scale blending expertise. For anyone seeking a reliable, full-bodied red that delivers fireside-worthy richness without a premium price tag, this bottle consistently delivers.