Capiaux Pinot Noir "Chimera" Russian River Valley 2023
(Sonoma County, California) - [VM 92]

About the Winery:
Sean Capiaux, founder and winemaker of Capiaux Cellars, has built a distinguished career in the wine industry, renowned for his expertise in crafting exceptional Pinot Noir wines that reflect California’s diverse terroirs.
Sean Capiaux graduated from California State University, Fresno, with a Bachelor of Science in Enology and a minor in Chemistry. He began his winemaking career at Jordan Winery in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley, where he worked for two years. Seeking international experience, Capiaux joined Houghton Winery near Perth in Western Australia, further broadening his winemaking perspective.
Upon returning to the United States, he served as assistant winemaker at Pine Ridge Winery in Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District for two years. He then joined Peter Michael Winery in Calistoga as assistant winemaker, where he worked for nearly five years.
In 1994, while at Peter Michael Winery, Capiaux launched his own label, Capiaux Cellars, focusing on small-lot, single-vineyard Pinot Noir. He sourced fruit from premier vineyards in California, emphasizing the unique characteristics of each site. Capiaux’s winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention, utilizing native yeast fermentations and French oak barrels to enhance complexity while allowing the fruit to express its inherent qualities.
In addition to his role at Capiaux Cellars, Sean Capiaux serves as the winemaker for O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery in Napa Valley’s Howell Mountain appellation, where he crafts world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. His commitment to sustainable farming and thoughtful winemaking practices ensures that his wines not only reflect the land but also respect it.
Capiaux’s dedication to quality and innovation has solidified his reputation as a versatile and accomplished winemaker, with Capiaux Cellars standing as a benchmark producer of California Pinot Noir.

Technical Details:
100% Pinot Noir
89% Starscape Vineyard (Russian River Valley), 5% Widdoes Vineyard (Russian River Valley), 3% Pisoni Vineyard (Santa Lucia Highlands), 3% Garys’ Vineyard (Santa Lucia Highlands)
Harvested September 1st – October 23rd
Native Yeast Fermentation
Unfined and Unfiltered
Aged 11 months in French oak (10% new)
14.2% abv

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2023 Pinot Noir Chimera is a terrific introduction to this range. A burst of dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, sweet spice, blood orange and pomegranate make a strong first impression. Juicy yet vibrant, the 2023 is all class. (Drink between 2024-2031)" - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2024)