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
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California » Sonoma Coast
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
50dCalifornia » 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
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
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
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
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,
Robert Parker 93 "Lovely fruit and earth aromas soar from the glass of the 2008 Pinot Noir Garys Vineyard. Even better than the hugely successful 2007,
"Chimera has a dark ruby garnet color. Rich and heady aromas of ripe plum, pomegranate, brown sugar and spice with sweet oak and high tone
Stephen Tanzer 91 "Good full red. Complex nose melds cherry cola, raspberry, spicy underbrush, smoked meat and a whiff of earth. Supple, broad and spicy, with
Robert Parker 90 "The dark ruby-colored 2006 Pinot Noir Freestone Hill Vineyard reveals notes of damp earth, root vegetables, and sweet currant, plum, and cherry fruit.
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
Stephen Tanzer 93 "Aromas of black raspberry, minerals, licorice, violet and underbrush, with a menthol nuance. Dense and thick on entry, then powerful and full in
Robert Parker 94 "Aged in 50% new French oak, the 2009 Pinot Noir Garys Vineyard is another textbook example of this wonderful sector of the Santa
Stephen Tanzer 92 "Full red-ruby. Highly nuanced nose offers raspberry, mocha, coffee, cola, mint, earth and minerals. Sexy, savory and seamless, with an impression
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,
" The Widdoes Pinot Noir has a bright medium dark red color. Aromas of blueberries, raspberries, violets, forest floor, and the signature cherry cola lead
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 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
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