The Lioco “Fondo” Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is a striking, site-driven red that redefines California Cabernet through restraint, freshness, and purity of fruit. True to Lioco’s ethos of transparent winemaking and vineyard expression, “Fondo” showcases the cool-climate elegance of coastal Mendocino, balancing intensity and grace in equal measure.

Technical Notes

• Grape Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Appellation: Mendocino County, California
• Vineyards: From low-yielding, dry-farmed vineyards planted on gravelly loam and decomposed sandstone at moderate elevation
• Farming: Sustainable and organically farmed fruit; hand-harvested
• Vinification: 100% destemmed; native yeast fermentation; gentle extraction; aged 12 months in neutral French oak barrels
• Alcohol: ~13.5% ABV

Terroir
The vineyards lie within the coastal foothills of Mendocino County, where cool marine air from the Pacific tempers daytime heat. This slow ripening preserves natural acidity and aromatic lift, while the rocky, well-drained soils limit vigor and produce small, concentrated berries. The result is a Cabernet that favors minerality and balance over oak and power.

Tasting Notes
Deep garnet in the glass, the 2022 “Fondo” opens with aromas of blackcurrant, graphite, dried herbs, and cedar, layered with subtle notes of violet and forest floor. The palate is supple yet structured, offering flavors of black cherry, plum, tobacco leaf, and crushed stone framed by fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. The finish is long and savory, echoing with mineral and herbal complexity.

Lioco’s “Fondo” Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is a refined, cool-climate expression of the variety — elegant, aromatic, and deeply rooted in place. It’s a Cabernet that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or aged cheeses, but just as easily stands alone as a contemplative glass. A wine for those who prefer nuance over muscle and terroir over polish — unmistakably California, yet refreshingly restrained.