Far Mountain Cabernet Fission 2020, Moon Mountain District, California

Fission is a pure mountain wine, with a dark depth of fruit chiseled by the cool elevation of its two vineyard sites. A wine of texture, with the intensity and sappy concentration we associate with old vines, it builds into powerful tannins that remain refined, almost cloaked by the seductiveness of the fruit and the gently building structure. The name Fission was ultimately chosen to reference the textural and mineral characteristics that the unique volcanic soil brings to this wine. Vineyard: Above the town of Sonoma facing the San Francsico Bay, the Alta Vista vineyard is home to 50+ year-old, dry-farmed vines on terraces are fully adapted to their growing conditions. The vines at Alta Vista are truly part of the site following the contours of the hill producing exceptional fruit for Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaking: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, destemmed trying to keep whole berries, with very gentle pressing. Open top, native yeast fermentation with minimal punch downs and pumpovers; never racked until blending before bottling. Aging: 12 months in 27% new French Oak barrels, of these 73% Medium Toast and 27% Medium Plus Toast, 73% neutral French oak barrels (third, fourth, fifth and sixth use). The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Fission is a gorgeous wine from Mai Errazuriz and Rodrigo Soto. Ample and deep, the 2021 possesses tons of complexity from the very first taste. Brambly overtones meld into leather, cedar, tobacco and dried herbs. Brooding tannins wrap it all together. The Fission emerges from dry-farmed vines planted on St. George rootstock at Alta Vista Gold Ranch on Moon Mountain. The old-vine field selection is believed to include some Cabernet Franc.