2021 Force & Grace - Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (750ml)

Force & Grace is the creation of vintner Joseph Carr, best known for founding Josh Cellars, who partnered with acclaimed winemaker Jean Hoefliger to launch this portfolio in 2023. The name nods to Carr's own history as a state champion wrestler and a student of modern dance, two disciplines whose balance of power and control he sees mirrored in winemaking. Hoefliger honed his craft at estates including Château Lynch-Bages and Alpha Omega, and brings that pedigree to a lineup built around showcasing Napa Valley's most celebrated appellations.

This bottling draws exclusively on fruit from the Oakville AVA, a stretch of the Napa Valley floor prized for its gravelly, well drained soils and warm, consistent growing season, factors that give Oakville Cabernet its reputation for depth paired with polish. Hoefliger farms and blends small lots from within the appellation, aiming to capture the site's natural balance of ripeness and structure rather than override it with heavy handed cellar work. The wine is aged to develop complexity while keeping the fruit's character front and center.

The glass reveals dry boysenberry, blackberry jam, cassis, licorice, and graphite, with a full bodied palate showing dark fruit, bacon fat, and dark chocolate. Round, well managed tannins carry through to a savory finish with real length. This wine complements grilled steak, braised short ribs, or aged gouda.