Capiaux “Chimera” Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2014

Since Sean Capiaux founded Capiaux Cellars in 1994, he has been dedicated to the nuance and expression of the “Holy Grail” grape: Pinot Noir. Capiaux Cellars is dedicated to producing single-vineyard bottlings of Pinot Noir. Chimera, named for the creature of Greek mythology, or to describe anything that brings together disparate parts with dazzling results, stands out. This is Sean’s opportunity to combine fruit from seven vineyards along the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Santa Lucia Highlands. The result is a beautiful, nuanced wine.

Sean’s style is a blend of classic and contemporary. He pairs cutting-edge fermentation equipment with traditional Burgundian technique that emphasizes natural, hands-on winemaking. Fruit is hand-sorted as soon as it arrives at the winery. Following a cool soak, all wines are fermented by indigenous yeast and minimal new oak (rarely more than 33%). The wine ages in barrel for ten to 15 months before bottling, unfined and unfiltered to preserve aroma and flavour.

“Sean Capiaux’s 2014 Pinot Noir Chimera is one of the great values in artisan California Pinot Noir. Bright floral aromatics soar over a core of sweet, red fleshed stone fruits. Readers will have a very hard time finding a classier and more delicious Pinot than this for the price. Drink this juicy, forward Pinot over the next few years.”91 points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Sept 2015

“The 2014 Pinot Noir Chimera, comes from several Russian River sites and sees only 10% new oak. Its is a beautiful wine and Capiaux’s biggest production item. It is a heck of a value for an outstanding Pinot Noir. Beautiful sassafras, pomegranate and black cherry notes intermixed with some damp earth and forest floor are all present in this wine, which also offers some baking spices and subtle background earth in its long, heady finish. Drink if over the next 3-4 years.”