Amotus 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

The name Amotus has connotations of emotion, passion, and devotion, and that is precisely the way we feel about Moon Mountain.  It is we believe one of the greatest areas in the world for growing complex and distinct wines of pleasure, and Amotus is a singular expression of these characteristics.

In 2020, Amotus was a selection from the Alta Vista vineyard that is at the heart of Fission.  This fifty-year old, dry farmed vineyard surrounded by forest, scrub and rock reflects planting choices from well before the modern wine industry began in California, choices which today we recognize as extraordinarily in tune with and reflective of their environment.  

The vineyard has so many different exposures and such a difference in altitude from bottom to top, it's a case study in how a site can delivery complexity through its differences. In working to understand the site and also the effects of different aging vessels and time, Amotus was born.  It started the first year with one barrel, and is now a selection of several barrels.  It has more fruit and structure than Fission, and needs more time to come together. 

We follow our ethos of minimalist winemaking, and transfer the wine from oak barrels to a larger foudre in order to allow the wine to continue its development with less effect from wood.  It is a wine of intense concentration and texture through the mid palate that finishes with seamless tannin and pronounced minerality.  Rich and dark black fruit with savory touches come through in layer after layer.  The ultimate test will of course be the test of time, and we believe that is where the incredible substance of Amotus will shine through even more brightly.