Exclusively for those who like to be in the know…

In the grand scheme of things, 80 bucks is a hefty ask for a Cab these days. But $58 for a 94/93/93pt rated “insiders only” type, first release gem like this? Trust your Agents - it shows OUT and over delivers.

You’re getting in on the ground floor here. Galloni notes Far Mountain will be “a fascinating project to follow in the coming years.” It’s like getting the first tracks on a pow day, walking out the Apple store with the iPhone 13 Pro on release, or flexing the first Tesla on your block.

Alta Vista sits at 1,400 feet elevation high atop Moon Mountain, a prized appellation aka “Mount Veeder North”. It neighbors Napa closely via the county line defined by the Mayacamas range peaks, but the terroir is so similar that the fruit from here has historically been highly sought after for ‘spiking’ famous $100+ Napa labels with mountain fruit and tannins. Recently, with visionaries like Bedrock and Chateau Potelle proudly putting the Alta Vista name forward. Now the cat’s out of the bag.

Oh, and the husband-and-wife winemaking duo? Total rock stars. Both bring deep experience at Quintessa. And the wife’s family winery Errázuriz is one of Chile’s greatest that once partnered with Robert Mondavi. The husband? He still runs the show at Quintessa and was instrumental at elevating Benziger to a whole other level before that. Serious cred for a humble mountaintop project!

This is a BIG, brooding wine. Inky black like a moonless night with constellations illuminating the fringes. One whiff and it screams big mountain fruit, burly with a deep cut of ripe wild berries, engulfed in dusty earth nuances. The palate is also colossal, yet minimally oaked and lifted by bright acidity, and a refreshing fresh cracked Tellicherry pepper note, dusty cocoa and framed with massively polished tannins. Long and complex, with classy, and classic sweet oak spices, silky but robust structure hinting at major cellaring upside too. It’s highly enjoyable today, especially with a festive leg of lamb roast served ‘au jus’ with rosemary garlic gravy.

We found it pretty Pahlmeyer-esque in style and intensity while conveying that Quintessa-n-tial gracefulness. Such quality would set you back easily 3-4x, making this an incredible deal for 58 bucks, take it from us. One day we see you bragging about how savvy you were to jump in on the first vintage of the next hot cult Cab.

Too bad there’s very little made versus those big names, our allocation may not last the day.

94 Points – Wine Enthusiast

“From the Alta Vista Vineyard, this impressive red is earthy in cedar, pencil shaving and dried herb. A violet note highlights the elegant palate, which is restrained in oak and integrated in tannin. The fruit is savory in character, with lasting focus on the finish.”

93 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“These are the first wines I have tasted from Far Mountain, a new project headed by winemakers Mai Errázuriz and Rodrigo Soto. Errázuriz and Soto source fruit from a number of highly regarded sites in Sonoma… done in a stripped-down style with minimal oak influence. This is going to be a fascinating project to follow in the coming years. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Fission emerges from Alta Vista, on Moon Mountain. A dark, potent wine, it captures plenty of mountain energy in its savory, earthy flavor profile. Dark cherry, mocha, spice, new leather, licorice and chocolate all flesh out… This is certainly an impressive debut from Mai Errázuriz and Rodrigo Soto. Drink 2022-2034.”

93 Points – James Suckling

“This is a balanced red, showing blackberry and bark with chili and some herbs. It’s medium-to full-bodied with nice drinkability and a succulent, flavorful finish. Iodine, pine needles, slate and graphite undertones. Subtle. Vineyards from the early 1970s. This is from Moon Mountain. Drink after 2022.”