Pinot Noir has always been recognized as one of the noblest red wines, and also one of the most difficult varieties to produce. It has many faces and expressions, from light and fruity to dark and earthy. It is these nuances and qualities that excite us to continually pursue the "Holy Grail" of Pinot Noir. Sean Capiaux founded Capiaux Cellars in 1994, Capiaux cellars is dedicated to producing single vineyard bottlings of Pinot Noir. The philosophy is to produce wines that express the unique location from which they came, a sense of place or distinctive quality that sets them apart. Therefore, only high quality, low yielding, select clonal grapes are used, from unique viticultural areas. The winemaking style is a blend of classic and contemporary, utilizing cutting edge fermentation equipment paired with natural hands on winemaking, our emphasis is on balance All the wines are naturally fermented and unfined and unfiltered to preserve their innate flavors and aromas. Minimal amounts of new oak are used, usually 33%. Capiaux Cellars specializes in small lots of vineyard designated Pinot Noir from California
50dCalifornia » Sonoma Coast
Vinous Media 92 "The 2018 Pinot Noir Chimera is compelling. Bright, sculpted and energetic, the 2018 is just singing today. Sweet red cherry, mint, blood orange,
Vinous Media 91 "The 2017 Pinot Noir Chimera is gorgeous. Dark, deeply spiced and pliant, the 2017 possesses terrific balance and plenty of appeal. In this
California » Russian River Valley
Vinous Media 94 "he 2017 Pinot Noir Widdoes Vineyard is another super-intriguing wine from Sean Capiaux. The warm vintage gives this Martini clone fruit an extra
Vinous Media 90 "The 2016 Pinot Noir Chimera is laced with essence of sweet red cherry, underbrush, dried herbs, orange zest and exotic floral notes. Plump
California » Russian River Valley
Vinous Media 93+ "The 2016 Pinot Noir Widdoes Vineyard is a bold, pungent wine, with huge tannins that are going to need quite a bit of
Wine Advocate 92 "His 2015 Pinot Noir Chimera comes primarily from Russian River vineyards but a tiny percentage is from the Sonoma Coast and even a
Wine Advocate 93 "The 2015 Pinot Noir Widdoes Vineyard, which comes from the cold Green Valley sub-region of the Russian River, sees a lot of new
Vinous Media 93 "A classic, Russian River Pinot, the 2014 Widdoes Vineyard is plump, juicy and extroverted to the core. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint and
Vinous Media 91 "Sean Capiaux's 2014 Pinot Noir Chimera is one of the great values in artisan California Pinot Noir. Bright floral aromatics soar over a
The Wine 2014 Gap’s Crown Vineyard (Sonoma Coast/Petaluma Gap) on the West side of Sonoma Mountain, this breezy area is fast becoming known for earthy
Wine Advocate 91 "The outstanding 2014 Pinot Noir Wilson Vineyard is a slightly larger cuvée, and again, Capiaux’s tendency to make sexy, lush Pinots is well-displayed
Wine Advocate 93 "The 2013 Pinot Noir Wilson Vineyard sees slightly less new oak but shows even more intensity and depth. It offers attractive forest floor,
Antonio Galloni 93 "The 2012 Pinot Noir Chimera is the most subtle and layered of Sean Capiaux's three 2012 Pinots. Sweet tobacco, anise, herbs, red cherries,
Vinous 93 "Dark cherry, plum, cola, spices and new leather flesh out in the 2012 Pinot Noir Widdoes Vineyard. A classic Russian River Pinot in its
Vinous Media 94 "The 2012 Pinot Noir Gaps Crown is one of the darker, more virile wines in this range. Red and purple leaning fruit,
Vinous Media 94 "Veins of Sonoma Coast salinity and energy support a core of vibrant, chiseled fruit in the 2012 Pinot Noir Wilson Vineyard. The flavors
Wine Advocate 91 "The 2011 Pinot Noir Chimera is laced with expressive red fruits, flowers and mint. Hints of orange peel and blood orange appear later,
" The Widdoes Pinot Noir has a bright medium dark red color. Aromas of blueberries, raspberries, violets, forest floor, and the signature cherry cola lead
Wine Advocate 89 "The 2010 Pinot Noir Chimera is a beautiful wine that captures the essence of the Sonoma Coast in a fairly rich style for
Robert Parker 92 "The 2010 Pinot Noir Widdoes Vineyard bursts from the glass with sweet red berries, flowers and spices. This is a fairly tense style
Stephen Tanzer 90 "Backward, tight nose hints at black fruits, pepper, fresh herbs and spices. Beefy and rather powerful but slow to unfold, with a
Stephen Tanzer 92 "Bright dark red. Good peppery lift to the powerful aromas of dark fruits and spices. Densely packed but sappy and juicy,
Stephen Tanzer 91 "Deep ruby-red. Wild, slightly reduced aromas of brambly blackberry, strawberry, black cherry, black pepper and wild mint. Large-scaled, rich and sweet but with
Robert Parker 93 "Another beauty, the 2009 Pinot Noir Widdoes Vineyard includes about 10% stems and was aged in 40% new French oak. It exhibits beautiful
Robert Parker 91 "Another intriguing offering is the 2009 Pinot Noir Chimera. Most Burgundy varietals did well in 2009 because it was such a perfumed vintage