Josh Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Josh Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a 750ml California Cabernet Sauvignon bottled at 14.5% ABV, sourced from premium growing regions including Paso Robles and North Coast. The 2017 Paso Robles Reserve vintage earned 92 points from James Suckling, and in 2021, Wine Enthusiast named Josh Cellars American Winery of the Year.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14–14.5%  |  Origin: California (Paso Robles & North Coast)  |  Style: Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Winery: Josh Cellars

Production & Heritage

Josh Cellars was founded by Joseph Carr and named in honor of his father, Josh. The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon draws fruit from two of California's most respected appellations—Paso Robles and North Coast—each bottled separately to highlight regional character. The North Coast Reserve is aged with 25% new French oak, while the broader Reserve program employs a mix of roughly 35% new oak and 2–3 year old barrels over a 10-month maturation period, a calibrated approach that builds complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark fruits lead the bouquet, with layers of fresh black cherry, blackcurrant, and rose petal giving way to roasted walnut and black peppercorn. The oak influence surfaces gently as toasted hazelnut and a subtle mocha undertone.

Taste: The entry is ripe and fruit-forward, built around black cherry and cassis. Mid-palate, flavors of raspberry, toasted hazelnut, and fresh sage emerge alongside coffee and vanilla tones from the oak aging. The structure is medium to full, with integrated tannins and a cocoa-laced spice thread running through each sip.

Finish: Moderately long, with lingering notes of dark cherry, subtle vanilla, and toasted oak. A dusting of cocoa and warm spice keeps the finish grounded and satisfying.

How to Drink Josh Reserve Cabernet

This Reserve drinks best at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, and benefits from 20–30 minutes of breathing time in the glass or a decanter. It stands confidently on its own but also works well in bold, wine-forward cocktails.

• Cabernet Sangria: The dark fruit core and spice notes anchor a red sangria without getting lost among citrus and brandy.
• Red Wine Spritz: A lighter warm-weather pour—the cassis and cherry character stays vibrant when lengthened with sparkling water and an orange twist.
• Mulled Wine: The existing cocoa and baking spice profile merges seamlessly with cinnamon, clove, and star anise when gently warmed.

Best For

• Weeknight steak dinners where you want a reliable, crowd-pleasing red
• Gifting a wine drinker who appreciates California Cabernet without the Napa Valley price tag
• Hosting a tasting comparing Paso Robles and North Coast terroir side by side
• Building a home cellar with approachable, well-reviewed Reserve-tier wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Josh Reserve Cabernet taste like? It delivers a fruit-driven profile of dark cherry, blackcurrant, and raspberry layered with toasted oak, vanilla, cocoa, and warm baking spice. The tannins are integrated and the body is medium to full, making it rich yet approachable.

How does Josh Reserve Cabernet compare to Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon? Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon Vinekeeper, produced by the Wagner family behind Caymus, leans into bolder Napa-sourced fruit at a similar price tier. Josh Reserve tends toward a slightly more restrained oak profile and draws from Paso Robles or North Coast rather than Napa, resulting in a different regional expression of California Cabernet.

Is Josh Reserve Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes—its balanced tannin structure, layered fruit, and moderate oak influence make it a satisfying glass on its own, especially after a brief decant. It rewards patient sipping at cellar temperature.

Where is Josh Reserve Cabernet made? Josh Cellars is a California-based winery founded by Joseph Carr. The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon sources fruit from Paso Robles on the Central Coast and the North Coast AVA, which encompasses premium growing areas north of San Francisco Bay.

What foods pair well with Josh Reserve Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's dark fruit and oak tannins. Braised short ribs mirror its cocoa and spice undertones. Aged cheddar or Gruyère highlight the vanilla and toasted nut notes. Roasted lamb with rosemary plays off the sage and herbal qualities. Dark chocolate desserts echo the mocha and cocoa finish.

What sizes does Josh Reserve Cabernet come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, the most widely available format for this Reserve expression.

Is Josh Reserve Cabernet worth the price? Josh Reserve Cabernet positions as a premium step up from the winery's standard Cabernet, landing in the mid-range value tier for California Reserve wines. With a 92-point James Suckling score on the 2017 Paso Robles vintage and American Winery of the Year recognition from Wine Enthusiast, it delivers strong quality relative to its price bracket.

Why Josh Reserve Cabernet?

The 92-point James Suckling score on the 2017 Paso Robles Reserve signals this is more than an entry-level grocery store Cabernet—it is a seriously made wine punching above its weight. The deliberate oak regimen, blending new and seasoned French barrels, gives the wine structural depth without masking the fruit. Josh Cellars' 2021 American Winery of the Year honor from Wine Enthusiast reflects a consistent quality commitment across the portfolio, and the Reserve tier represents the sharpest expression of that ambition. For drinkers seeking a well-built California Cabernet Sauvignon that delivers complexity at a reasonable entry point, this Reserve stands as one of the more compelling options in its class.