Josh Cellars Merlot

Josh Cellars Merlot is a California red wine blending 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2019 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, which called it "one of the best bottles in the Josh lineup" — a notable distinction for a widely available California Merlot.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Style: Medium-Bodied Red Blend  |  Winery: Josh Cellars

Production & Heritage

Josh Cellars was launched in 2007 by American vintner Joseph Carr, who named the brand in honor of his father. The Merlot draws fruit from partner growers across Napa, Monterey, Lodi, and Mendocino County, with each sub-region contributing different layers of complexity to the final blend. Winemaking begins with a 24-hour cold soak followed by daily remontage (pump-overs) for flavor and tannin extraction, then a one-week extended maceration before aging in French oak for up to 12 months. The 15% Cabernet Sauvignon component adds structural backbone without overpowering the Merlot's signature softness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fragrant violets lead the bouquet, followed by sweet plum and vanilla bean. Underneath, subtle toasted oak rounds out the nose with a warm, inviting quality.

Taste: The entry is velvety and soft-textured, immediately offering ripe plum and black cherry. At mid-palate, blackberry and red cherry flavors deepen, woven together with toasted oak. The blend's Cabernet Sauvignon component emerges as gentle structure, keeping the wine balanced rather than jammy.

Finish: Medium in length with a lingering cocoa powder note and a hint of milk chocolate. The tannins remain supple throughout, fading cleanly without bitterness.

How to Drink Josh Merlot

Serve at 60–65°F for the fullest expression of its fruit and oak character; a slight chill tames the alcohol and lets the violet aromatics sing. This Merlot is approachable enough to enjoy by the glass without decanting, though 15–20 minutes of air opens up the cocoa finish.

In cocktails and wine-based drinks, Josh Merlot's soft tannins and fruit-forward profile work well in a Kalimotxo (equal parts red wine and cola over ice — the wine's chocolate notes play off the cola's caramel), a Red Wine Sangria (the plum and berry flavors mesh naturally with sliced stone fruit and citrus), and a Mulled Wine (warm spices like cinnamon and clove complement the existing vanilla and cocoa character).

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want a reliable, food-friendly red
• Introducing red wine drinkers to Merlot's softer, fruit-driven side
• Hosting casual gatherings that call for a crowd-pleasing bottle
• Gifting someone who appreciates well-made California wine without the Napa price tag

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Josh Merlot taste like? Josh Merlot delivers ripe plum, black cherry, and blackberry flavors supported by toasted oak and a cocoa powder finish. It is medium-bodied with soft, supple tannins and a velvety texture.

How does Josh Merlot compare to 14 Hands Merlot? Both are approachable, fruit-forward Merlots at a similar price tier, but Josh Merlot leans toward plum and chocolate richness from its French oak aging, while 14 Hands Merlot — sourced from Washington State — tends to show a touch more spice and brighter acidity from its cooler-climate fruit. The Josh blend also includes 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, adding slightly more tannic structure.

Is Josh Merlot good for beginners? Yes — its soft tannins, fruit-forward profile, and balanced oak make it one of the more accessible California reds for newer wine drinkers. The lack of harsh tannins or high alcohol removes common barriers to enjoying red wine.

Where is Josh Merlot made? Josh Merlot is produced in California by Josh Cellars, the label founded by vintner Joseph Carr in 2007. The fruit is sourced from partner vineyards across Napa, Monterey, Lodi, and Mendocino County.

What foods pair well with Josh Merlot? Grilled lamb chops (the wine's plum and berry fruit mirrors the meat's richness), mushroom risotto (earthy flavors complement the cocoa finish), roasted pork tenderloin (the soft tannins won't overpower leaner cuts), dark chocolate desserts (echoing the wine's own chocolate notes), and aged cheddar or Gouda (the wine's fruit and oak stand up to bold cheese flavors).

What sizes does Josh Merlot come in? Josh Cellars Merlot is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle, though the brand also produces select wines in 375ml half-bottles and 1.5L magnums depending on market availability.

Is Josh Merlot worth the price? Josh Merlot positions as an entry-level to mid-range California red, and its 90-point Wine Enthusiast score for the 2019 vintage suggests it consistently punches above its price tier. For a multi-appellation blend aged in French oak, it represents strong value within the everyday California Merlot category.

Why Josh Merlot?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of California Merlots is the multi-appellation sourcing strategy — pulling fruit from Napa, Monterey, Lodi, and Mendocino gives the winemaking team a broad palette of flavors to blend from, a technique more commonly associated with higher-priced labels. The 90-point Wine Enthusiast score on the 2019 vintage validates the approach. Up to 12 months in French oak and a deliberate extended maceration process add layers of cocoa, vanilla, and structural depth that many wines at this tier skip in favor of speed to market. The result is a Merlot that over-delivers on complexity while remaining immediately drinkable.