Episode 3: Elevating an American Favorite - Josh Cellars Pinot Noir with ADVINTAGE® Light
In this third installment of our series exploring the frontiers of wine enhancement, we turn our focus to a true American success story and a staple of the modern wine landscape: Josh Cellars. While our previous episodes have dissected the nuances of Chardonnay, we now venture into the delicate and often challenging world of Pinot Noir.
This varietal, often called the "heartbreak grape," is notoriously difficult to cultivate. Its temperament makes the production of high-quality, affordable Pinot Noir a significant challenge, yet it remains one of the most popular red wines in the United States.
Josh Cellars has risen to this challenge, building a reputation for producing consistent, approachable wines. However, the nature of producing wine at this scale often involves compromises. While pleasant, many mass-market Pinot Noirs lack the structural integrity, mid-palate complexity, and long finish that define the world’s greatest expressions of the grape.
This episode will provide a thorough evaluation of the Josh Cellars Pinot Noir and explore the transformative power of ADVINTAGE® Light, a formula specifically designed for lighter-bodied red wines.
A Tribute in Every Bottle: The Story of Josh Cellars
The story of Josh Cellars is one of love, hard work, and the American dream. Founded in 2007 by vintner Joseph Carr, the winery is a deeply personal tribute to his father, Josh—a lumberjack, U.S. Army veteran, and volunteer firefighter [1]. Joseph Carr’s own journey began in the restaurant industry, inspiring him to create high-quality, well-balanced wine accessible to everyone. This commitment has transformed Josh Cellars into one of the nation’s top-selling wine brands.
The Art of the Blend: The Josh Cellars Method
Josh Cellars operates as a négociant, allowing winemakers to source grapes from diverse premium vineyards across California [2]. For their Pinot Noir, they source from cool-climate regions like Sonoma and Monterey to promote bright red fruit characteristics and refreshing acidity. The wine is then aged with subtle hints of toasted wood, adding complexity without overpowering the delicate fruit.
Tasting Notes: The Promise of an Approachable Pinot
The official description promises "intoxicating aromas of bright cherries, raspberries and toasty oak," and a palate of "dark cherry, cocoa and vanilla bean flavors" [3].
My Honest Evaluation
- Aromatic Profile: On the nose, the wine presents a clean and vibrant bouquet of red fruits. Ripe cherry and strawberry notes mingle with a touch of sweet spice. It avoids the overly jammy notes often found in warmer climate Pinots.
- Palate and Structure: The initial impression is smooth with soft texture and bright acidity. However, the mid-palate reveals a lack of density and weight; it feels somewhat hollow. The finish, while clean, is brief and simple, fading quickly without the lingering complexity of a premium vintage.
The wine is undeniably good, but it holds a quiet potential for greatness—a structural framework waiting to be filled.
The ADVINTAGE® Light Transformation: Unlocking Hidden Potential
This is where ADVINTAGE® Light comes in. Designed specifically for lighter-bodied red wines, as well as rosé and sparkling wines, it enhances structure without altering fundamental character. With just a few drops, the transformation was remarkable:
- Structural Balance: The hollow mid-palate was filled out, giving the wine a sense of weight and substance that was previously lacking.
- Complex Flavors: The fruit flavors became more nuanced, with deeper notes of black cherry and a hint of earthiness emerging.
- Evolving Finish: The finish, previously short, became long and evolving, with a lingering spiciness.
What was most impressive was that the wine still tasted like Josh Cellars Pinot Noir—just the best version of itself. It elevated a good, everyday wine into a truly exceptional tasting experience.
Conclusion: Elevating the Everyday
The Josh Cellars Pinot Noir is a testament to quality winemaking and accessibility. However, our evaluation showed that even a beloved wine can be elevated. ADVINTAGE® Light demonstrated that it is possible to bridge the gap between a good, everyday wine and a truly exceptional tasting experience.
By filling in structural gaps and prolonging the finish, ADVINTAGE® Light unlocked the hidden potential within the bottle. This is a powerful reminder that a great wine experience doesn't always require a high price tag. Join us for our next episode, where we will explore the world of sparkling wine!
Elevate Your Pinot: Shop ADVINTAGE® Light
References
[1] Josh Cellars. (n.d.). The Story of Our Wines. Retrieved from https://www.joshcellars.com/our-story
[2] Josh Cellars. (n.d.). Josh Cellars Pinot Noir. Retrieved from https://www.joshcellars.com/products/josh-cellars-pinot-noir
[3] Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits. (n.d.). Josh Cellars Pinot Noir. Retrieved from https://www.deutschfamily.com/brand-skus/josh-cellars/josh-cellars-pinot-noir/
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use ADVINTAGE® Light for Pinot Noir instead of Red?
Pinot Noir is a delicate, thin-skinned grape that produces lighter-bodied wines. ADVINTAGE® Light is formulated to enhance this delicacy without overpowering it, whereas the Red formula might be too robust for such a nuanced wine.
Will it make the wine taste heavy?
No. It adds "weight" to the mid-palate structure (the feeling of substance in your mouth) but does not make the wine heavy or cloying. It maintains the refreshing lift that Pinot Noir is known for.
Can I use this on other light reds?
Yes. It works beautifully on other lighter reds like Gamay (Beaujolais) or Grenache, as well as Rosés and Sparkling wines.