2021 Force & Grace - Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

Force & Grace is the creation of vintner Joseph Carr, best known for founding Josh Cellars, working alongside acclaimed winemaker Jean Hoefliger, who trained at estates including Château Lynch-Bages and Alpha Omega. The name reflects Carr's own history as a high school wrestling champion turned modern dance student, a balance of power and control he sees mirrored in fine winemaking. Hoefliger's approach centers on picking each site at the precise moment that balances lush ripeness with clean acidity.

This bottling draws on fruit from two vineyards within Rutherford, an appellation set at the valley's widest point and known for exceptional sun exposure and vines dating back to the 1800s. Grapes are hand picked at night to preserve freshness, then rigorously sorted before a long aging process of twenty two months in French oak, over half of it new, building the wine's toasted, spiced character. This careful approach lets the appellation's famed dusty terroir come through in the glass.

The wine opens with raspberry jam, blackberry, and warm caramel, layered with dusty mineral notes, red currant, and Herbes de Provence. Lush, refined tannins carry the palate to a long, savory finish. This wine pairs beautifully with grilled venison, braised beef short ribs, or a wedge of aged gruyère.