I've been following things at Far Mountain over the past few vintages, and I think they are about to blast off. Founded by industry vets Mai Errazuriz (former Marketing Director at Paul Hobbs) and Rodrigo Soto (former Estate Director at Quintessa), this husband and wife duo work with some very special, old vine, high elevation sites in Sonoma County.
Mai and Rodrigo with their lab Linus, checking on the vines.
Their 2021 Fission Cabernet Sauvignon is their "entry-level" Cab, but there's nothing entry level about it. Rated 95 by Suckling and 94 by Jeb Dunnuck, Vinous Media, and Decanter, it is "a gorgeous wine" that "possesses tons of complexity from the very first taste," said Antonio Galloni of Vinous.
Believe me when I say that Far Mountain's wines will cost at least 2x the price in the next 2-3 years.....I've been doing this "wine thing" for a long time, and I guarantee you that will be the case. For now though, this is a stellar find in epic, mountain-grown Cabernet.
Coming entirely from the old, dry-farmed, certified organic Alta Vista Vineyard in the Moon Mountain District, this heritage site provides us with some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in our country. Planted in 1971, this cool and rugged site gives us small and thick-skinned Cabernet berries that are just bursting with flavor.
Terraces at the old Alta Vista Vineyard.
In the dreamy 2021 vintage, things worked out very well here, and this detailed and well-formed Cab is overflowing with character and charm. At first a bit restrained, with bay leaf, earth, spice, and dried herb notes, the fruit really comes into play after about 30 minutes in the glass. It really shapes up into something special, showcasing energetic, juicy, and fresh flavors of blackberry, blueberry, and blackcurrant. This is great now, but it's going to drink well through 2040, maybe even longer.
Just in case you need some other opinions, here is what the top critics had to say:
Vinous Media - 94 points: "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."
Decanter - 94 points: "An exemplary mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from the team at Far Mountain, this wine is sourced from the 50-year-old, dry-farmed vines at Alta Vista Vineyard in Sonoma's Moon Mountain District. The volcanic soils and gnarled head-trained vines make for a dramatic, elegant wine: Pine needles and bay leaf frame wild mountain berries and mineral tones of pencil lead and iron. The palate shows sappy tart blackberries, muddled mint leaves, and graphite streaks across the flavour profile, finishing with fresh chopped herbs and white pepper—a fresh, invigorating Cabernet from Sonoma showing so much respect for the site."
Jeb Dunnuck - 94 points: "Named for the fracture in the rock of an old terrace in the vineyard and aged for one year in 35% new French oak, the 2021 Fission is a youthful dark purple color and is layered on the nose with deep notes of blackcurrants, piney herbs, minty accents, graphite, and gravelly earth as well as a resinous herbal quality. It’s full-bodied, with a robust structure, although it has very appealing freshness. I enjoy the refined, savory feel that continues through the finish. It’s emblematic of what this side of the mountain can offer, and I encourage readers to seek these wines out. Drink 2026-2046."
Trust me on this one folks, this will be the last time you're able to buy this for less than $60. If you love Mountain Cabs, this is a must-have!
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
