Capiaux’s 2011 Pinot Noir Garys’ Vineyard is drop dead gorgeous. Here the flavors are wonderfully alive and vibrant throughout. Black cherry and plum notes meld into deep spices, licorice, menthol and asphalt in this rich, enveloping Pinot Noir. This is one of the juicier 2011 Pinots I have tasted. I especially like the way the wine literally blossoms in the glass with nuance after nuance of pure pleasure. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2019. One of Napa Valley’s most talented winemakers, Sean Capiaux is equally comfortable crafting Betty O’Shaughnessy’s fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon-based Napa Valley wines as well as these Pinots, which Capiaux bottles under his own label. The Capiaux Pinots are some of the finest wines readers will find in the $30 price range. Suffice it to say, I was deeply impressed with what I tasted.Tel. (707) 307-4383

Aged in 50% new French oak, the 2009 Pinot Noir Garys’ Vineyard is another textbook example of this wonderful sector of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Sweet black currant and black raspberry fruit aromas intermixed with notions of licorice and earth jump from the glass of this full-bodied, voluptuously textured, long, rich Pinot Noir. Already drinking beautifully, it should continue to evolve for 4-5 years. Sean Capiaux, who is also the winemaker for O’Shaughnessy’s Napa Valley wines, has his own project and as the following tasting notes indicate, he demonstrates a Midas touch with Pinot Noir. His 2007 and 2008 Pinots I reviewed in issue 187 were also impressive.Tel. (707) 307-4383; Fax (707) 307-4305