Behind the Cork™ - Josh White Wines

Josh White Wines

Josh Cellars is produced by Joseph Carr who named his wines “Josh” for his father.

Josh Cellars is produced as a negociant brand. That means they don’t actually own a winery or any vineyards. At first that might seem odd. But, it’s actually much like some of the world’s greatest chateaux in Bordeaux and Burgundy France.

As a negociant, they work with California’s best growers to acquire grapes from select vineyards in California’s most prestigious appellations––Napa Valley’s Rutherford, Stags Leap District, Oakville, Coombsville, Mt. Veeder, and Carneros AVAs, along with Paso Robles to the south. Then, they allow their winemaker, Wayne Donaldson, to make their wines using his experience of over a decade making sparkling wine at one of the world’s largest and most prestigious champagne house where blending is essential to making great wines.

2021 Josh Cellars Pinot Grigio ($14.99)

This Pinot Grigio is straw color with aromas of pear, cantaloupe and minerals. On the palate it has flavors of green apple with bright acidity and an easy finish. (12.5% ABV)

2020 Josh Cellars Sauvignon Blanc ($14.99)

The Sauvignon Blanc is a pale straw yellow in color with aromas of grapefruit, honeydew and citrus. On the palate it has bright flavors of pineapple and tropical fruit with refreshing acidity that lingers. (13% ABV)

2020 Josh Cellars Chardonnay ($14.99)

This Chardonnay is pale gold in color with aromas of pear and baked apple. On the palate it has bright fruit flavors with a touch of lemon zest. It is balanced with 10% new French oak to add just a hint of oak. This Chardonnay does undergo malolactic conversion to give it a soft mouth-feel but still retains it fruit-forward flavors.

Each of these wines is fermented in stainless steel tanks to maximize the varietal expression, preserve aromas and produce their wines in the signature Josh Cellars style - fruit forward and a long finish. They are affordable and attainable making them a great fit as Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers!


Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Samples Provided by Joseph Carr Wines (via Donna White Communications)