Far Mountain
Fission Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Sonoma Valley
Fission is a dry-farmed, pure mountain wine, showcasing dark, intense fruit shaped by the cool elevation of the Alta Vista vineyard. With deep texture and sappy concentration from the old, 50-year-old vines, it builds into powerful tannins that remain refined, almost cloaked by the seductive fruit and gently evolving structure. The unique volcanic soils impart textural and mineral complexity, contributing to the wine’s earthy and savory tones. The terraced vineyard, nestled in the Mayacamas mountains, gives Fission a precise, saline minerality and remarkable depth that define its greatness.
VINEYARD
The base of Fission is sourced from Alta Vista Vineyard, located above the town of Sonoma at the southern end of the Mayacamas Range. Situated at 1,650 feet, this 17-acre site is one of the highest elevations in the region. The vineyard, planted in 1972, follows the natural contours of the hillside, with varied exposure depending on terrace length. The soils are rocky, with highly fractured stones in an advanced stage of decomposition. The vineyard is dry-farmed, St. George rootstock and an old field selection of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is surrounded by native trees and vegetation, offering breathtaking views from Sonoma to San Francisco Bay.
WINEMAKING
Hand-harvesting, with gentle destemming. Gravity fed into open-top fermenters; 4-5 day cold soak maceration
VINTAGE
The 2023 Moon Mountain vintage stands out due to consistent, mild weather and above-average yields, resulting in wines of exceptional density, concentration, and structure. The region's low-yielding vines, producing at half the level of Sonoma County’s average, benefit from extended hang time due to later bud break and harvest. The challenging soils and elevations stress the vines, producing fruit with intense flavors and a high skin-to-fruit ratio. The result is wines with powerful tannins, balanced acidity, and impressive aging potential.
TASTING NOTE
Dark fruited an intense, Fission opens with violet and hibiscus notes before driving into rich plum and raspberry on the palate.
FOOD PAIRING
Simultaneously deep and refreshing, Fission pairs with a broad range of main courses, including hearty roasts, stews, and herby chicken.
Color
Red
Blend %
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Sonoma Valley
Alcohol
14%
Reviews
Wine Enthusiast - "Editor's Choice"
James Suckling - December 10, 2025 "Aromas of spices and dark fruit with a real mountainous yet refined feel. The palate has such purity and precise focus, with a densely packed fruit and dried flower profile and ferric, graphite and herbal undertones. What a wonderfully crafted cabernet sauvignon."
Jeb Dunnuck - June 30, 2026 "Working with Phil Cotturi on this dry-farmed vineyard, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Fission pours a deep red hue and give up aromas of redcurrants, red plum, orange peel, herbs, and delicate cedar. Full-bodied but focused and light on its feet, it has refined tannins, stony minerality, savory iron richness, and excellent length. A strong opening wine in the range that overdelivers."
Vinous - February 1, 2026 "The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Fission is a superb offering in this range from Far Mountain. A burst of red and purplish-hued fruits opens first, followed by floral and savory top notes that lend complexity. Soft, silky tannins wrap it all together in style. What a gorgeous and irresistibly delicious wine this is."
More on Far Mountain Fission Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
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Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Far Mountain Monte Rosso Vineyard
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The Nunnery Vineyard
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Fission is a wine of texture, with the intensity and 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.
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Myrna Chardonnay
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Myrna combines Bald Mountain’s surprisingly delicate floral notes that move quickly to ripe yellow and more exotic fruits with salty, lime and green fruit-inflected notes from Thornton Vineyard. The sappy texture of the wine makes its presence felt, and this grows into a more defined and powerful structure with layers of spice persisting through the finish.
