When Sean Capiaux is not making the mouth-watering Cabernets at O'Shaughnessy Estate in the Howell Mountain area of Napa Valley, he's working on his own eponymous wines. Sean started his own label back in 1994, and specializes in small lots of vineyard designated Pinot Noir that express the unique location from which they came. Having previously worked at Peter Michael, Sean knows what make a great vineyard, and subsequently a great wine. He works with vineyards such as Pisoni, Widdoes, and Gaps Crown; properties that aren't afraid to drop crop for low yields that result in only high-quality grapes. Sean's winemaking style is a blend of classic and contemporary, utilizing cutting edge fermentation equipment paired with natural hands-on winemaking, and an emphasis on balance. All the wines are naturally fermented and unfined and unfiltered to preserve their innate flavors and aromas.
ANTONIO GALLONI 92 POINTS - "Sean Capiaux presented a stellar set of 2023 Pinots. These are some of the best wines I have tasted here. The 2023s were done with about 20% stems and saw 10-11 months in French oak, about 20% new. Like so many of his colleagues, Capiaux focuses a bit more on freshness these days, an approach that works quite well in balancing the natural exuberance he achieves in the sites in this portfolio. From top to bottom, this is a gorgeous set of wines."
"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."
ANTONIO GALLONI 92 POINTS - "Sean Capiaux presented a stellar set of 2023 Pinots. These are some of the best wines I have tasted here. The 2023s were done with about 20% stems and saw 10-11 months in French oak, about 20% new. Like so many of his colleagues, Capiaux focuses a bit more on freshness these days, an approach that works quite well in balancing the natural exuberance he achieves in the sites in this portfolio. From top to bottom, this is a gorgeous set of wines."
"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."
