2011 Capiaux Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard

(14.7% alcohol): Good full medium-deep red; the brightest of these 2011 pinots. Musky aromas and flavors of raspberry, flowers, mint and Oriental spices complicated by exotic hints of peach and mango. Riper than the Sonoma Coast and Widdoes bottlings and much smoother and silkier in texture, with just a touch of warmth. Finishes broad, dry and persistent, with velvety tannins.

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