Far Mountain
Amotus Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Moon Mountain District, Sonoma County
Far Mountain Amotus Cabernet Sauvignon is the pinnacle expression of the Alta Vista Vineyard in Moon Mountain, sourced from its oldest, dry-farmed vines planted in 1971. Grown in a dramatic south-facing amphitheater of volcanic basalt and fractured granite, the site’s varied exposures and elevations yield a wine of extraordinary depth and complexity. Only the top 7 barrels are selected for Amotus, which ages 12 months in barrel and another year in foudre. The result is a powerful, finely structured Cabernet with precision, texture, and a clear sense of place.
VINEYARD
A small-scale approach, focused on expressing the unique qualities of each vineyard in the Moon Mountain District. Amotus is a blend of the most distinct components from these sites, showcasing the mountain’s defining features—its rocky terrain, mature vines, and deep-rooted balance.
WINEMAKING
Amotus captures the power of Moon Mountain, highlighting its signature chalky tannins and graphite mineral notes, a testament to the ancient volcanic rocks of the Mayacamas Range. Freshness and structure emerge early in fermentation, and the wine is aged for one year in barrels before being blended. After blending, the wine is aged for an additional year in 2,000-liter fudres, allowing for slow, gentle integration. The result is a wine with layered complexity, smooth tannins, and a beautifully textured, long finish.
VINTAGE
A dry winter caused grasses to yellow early while vine canopies lignified and ripening occurred ahead of schedule. While yields were lower than average, the season produced fruit with exceptional concentration and intensity.
TASTING NOTE
Red and black fruits on the nose, with raspberries and wild blackberries complemented by savory notes of bay leaf and fresh tobacco. On the palate, it enters soft and silky, with balanced, fresh tannins that lend vibrancy.
Color
Red
Blend %
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Moon Mountain District, Sonoma County
Alcohol
14%
Suggested Retail Price
$155
Reviews
Wine Enthusiast - January 27, 2025 "There's an enchanting berry freshness to the nose of this Cabernet, leading onward to aromas of star anise, cinnamon and cocoa powder. The palate is decadent and lavish, with robust flavors of black plum, cherry liqueur, spiced fig jam and black pepper in a powerful framework."
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Bresa Chardonnay
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
Bresa Chardonnay is a wine of substance, grown from the oldest block of Bald Mountain Vineyard, planted in 1972 with Wente clones on fractured volcanic rock. This single-parcel, dry-farmed site yields just one barrel, producing a wine of depth, tension, and dazzling clarity. Far Mountain is rooted in the belief that the most profound wines come from remote mountain sites in Sonoma. Their growers have taken decades of risk, and the winery channels that drama into wines of energy, texture, and endless fascination.
Montecillo Cabernet Sauvignon
Moon Mountain, Sonoma County, California
The Montecillo vineyard is one of California’s most historic sites, first planted in 1860. This Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the vineyard’s high elevation, volcanic soils, dry-farming, organic viticulture, and pioneering spirit. Refined and complex, it honors over a century of resilience and innovation at Montecillo, embodying the enduring legacy of California winemaking.
Fission Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
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.
Myrna Chardonnay
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
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.
