Josh Cellars Merlot 2022

This structured and 'approachable' red wine originates from the United States, within the expansive California A.V.A. appellation. Crafted by Josh Cellars a highly popular American winery founded in 2007 by Joseph Carr as a tribute to his father, Josh this bottling reflects a classic, crowd-pleasing expression of Golden State Merlot. Sourced from choice vineyard sites across key warm-growing regions in California (including the North Coast and Central Coast), the vines thrive in well-draining sandy loam and clay-gravelly soils. The sunny Mediterranean-style microclimate brings warm daytime sunshine and temperate evening cooling, allowing the Merlot grapes to achieve complete phenolic ripeness, plush fruit concentration, and gentle, soft natural acidity.

Wine Description

The Josh Cellars Merlot presents a deep, luminous ruby-garnet color in the glass with vivid magenta reflections along the rim. Its sensory profile is exceptionally fresh, high-toned, and fruit-forward, delivering an expressive, round, and approachable portrait of California Merlot. The bouquet opens with an inviting display of ripe black cherry, dark plum, and sweet blackberry, seamlessly layered with delicate underlays of toasted oak, cocoa powder, vanilla bean, and a subtle touch of dried herbs. On the palate, the wine is medium-to-full-bodied, supple, and smooth, showcasing a succulent core of dark stone fruits, candied cherry, and mocha. It is characterized by its balanced energy and a soft, supple backbone of acidity that maintains freshness across the palate. The mouthfeel is broad, velvety, and gentle, framed by soft, rounded tannins that glide into a smooth, dry, and pleasingly warm finish accented by notes of cocoa, dark berry jam, and gentle oak spice.