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Capiaux Cellars (pronounced Cap-ee-oh) was established in 1994 by Sean Capiaux to produce single vineyard Pinot Noirs from California's most esteemed vineyards. Sean's career started at Jordan Winery in Alexander Valley, then to Houghton in Western Australia, then back to the US to work for Pine Ridge, and then on to Peter Michael Winery.
In 1996, Sean and his wife Gina moved to New York City so that his wife could attend Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Sciences. As a bicoastal winemaker, Sean continued to produce Capiaux Pinot Noir in California while also working as the winemaker for Macari Vineyards, Jamesport Vineyards and Schneider Vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island. In 2001, they returned to the Napa Valley to start up a new winery, O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery in the Howell Mountain appellation. Today, Sean is the President and Winemaker of O'Shaughnessy Estate where he produces their wines as well as his own.
With ongoing availability we carry Capiaux "Chimera" Pinot Noir, which is not a single vineyard wine, but rather a blend of the single vineyard sites.
A Chimera is a mythological creature comprised of multiple animals, often a lion, a snake and a goat or eagle. The name is a nod to the blending of these sites into one harmonious wine, and to his wife's work in genetics.
Should you be interested in ordering any of the single vineyard Pinot Noirs, let me know and I can enquire on your behalf as to what may be available to order.
We also carry the O'Shaughnessy Estate Cabernet Sauvignons, and currently have the 2017 Napa Valley, a blend of fruit from properties on Howell Mountain and Mt. Veeder; and the Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. This wine not only embodies the intense, masculine style of Howell Mountain reds, but is comprised of all seven historic Bordeaux varieties - a rarity in Napa Valley (and in Bordeaux!).
For our full list of wines, click here. To order, just reply to this email or give me a call, 437 227 6950 (cell), 416 961 2294 x 29 (office).
Cheers, Chris.
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Capiaux "Chimera"
Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2017
$57.99 per 750ml bottle, cases of 12
Originally blended from three vineyards back in 2001, Sean now has access to several excellent Russian River vineyard sources that boost its quality and value. The 2017 was aged for 11 months in French oak, 15% of which was new.
The vineyards contributing this year are:
30% from Starscape Vineyard, 30% from Sale Vineyard, 20% from Widdoes Vineyard and 10% from Starscape Vineyard "Old Vines", all from the Russian River Valley A.V.A.
The balance is 5% from Wilson Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast; and 3% from Garys' Vineyard and 2% from Pisoni Vineyard, both in the Santa Lucia Highlands.
You'll see a medium dark ruby red hue to the wine. It opens up to dark red fruit aromas and a hint of cinnamon. Classic Russian River flavours of cola, cherry and licorice on the mid palate and a warm-spice box finish.
"I was deeply impressed with Sean Capiaux's 2017s. The wines show just how compelling the vintage is for Pinot Noir. As always, Capiaux's Pinots are texturally rich, but also highly nuanced and distinctive. Moreover, there is a sense of immediacy and allure to these wines that I find compelling. The 2017 Pinot Noir "Chimera" is gorgeous. Dark, deeply spiced and pliant, the 2017 possesses terrific balance and plenty of appeal. In this vintage, the Chimera is a bit more generous than it usually is, but that is not at all a bad thing for a wine that is meant to be enjoyed upon release."
91 points, Antonio Galloni vinous.com, May 2019
"This offers a well-structured core of dark fruit and olive flavours, interwoven with savoury accents. Slate and spice details show on the firm finish. Drink now through 2023. 1,140 cases made."
91 points, Wine Spectator, Sept 2019
For more on Capiaux Cellars, click here.
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O'Shaughnessy Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 $137.99 per bottle, cases of 6 "Moving to the reds, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 5% Malbec that spent 20 months in 75% new French oak. Deep purple-coloured with notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, smoked earth, white chocolate, and crushed violets, it's medium to full-bodied, ripe, and sexy, with a core of sweet fruit. It's a terrific 2017 as well as a good value."
93 points, JebDunnuck.com, Jan 2020
"A very reserved and structured Cabernet with red and dark berries, as well as cedary notes and a savoury, iodine-like edge. The palate has a very balanced and composed feel with a sleek, focused edge to the fresh blackcurrant flavours. Drink or hold."
93 points, JamesSuckling.com, Feb 2020
For more information on O'Shaughnessy Estate, click here. |
O'Shaughnessy Estate Howell Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 $174.99 per 750ml bottle, cases of 6 **limited availability**
"The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain offers a slightly darker, earthier profile that carries beautiful black and blue fruits, charcoal, bouquet garni, and some obvious minerality as well as a whiff of espresso. It's rich, full-bodied, concentrated, and beautifully done. Drink it over the coming two decades. Based on 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% each of Merlot and Malbec, and the rest a mix of varieties, it spent 21 months in 80% new French oak."
96 points, JebDunnuck.com, Jan 2020
"The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain) is a powerful, dense wine endowed with tremendous concentration. Even so, the Howell Mountain tannins are nicely tamed. Ripe black cherry, black plum, espresso, spice, leather, graphite and dried flowers give the wine its mysterious, somber feel. Readers will find a gorgeous Cabernet that offers superb depth, but also more plushness and early appeal than is typical of Howell Mountain wines. One of the most distinctive signatures of the Howell Mountain Cabernet is the significant presence of blenders - in this vintage, all seven of the Bordeaux red varieties. The blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Saint-Macaire, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carménère."
94 points, Antonio Galloni vinous.com, Jan 2020
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Chris McLean
office: 416 961 2294 x 29
cell: 437 227 6950
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