The 2019 Pinot Noir Chimera Vineyard, Capiaux's largest-production bottling, is delicious this vintage and a great value. Medium ruby, it's intensely scented of raspberry liqueur, blood orange, licorice, iron and earth. The full-bodied palate is plush, silky and open with generous, spicy fruits and a very long finish. It was aged 11 months in 10% new French oak. 1,500 cases produced.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Chimera, the entry-level Pinot in Sean Capiaux's range, is rich, plummy and very easy to like. Juicy red cherry, kirsch, spice and cedar are front and center. Soft contours and pliant fruit give this racy Pinot tons of immediacy to match its Russian River exuberance. Ripeness feels a bit pushed, otherwise this is a fine effort.