2023 Capiaux Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir

Santa Lucia Highlands

Garys' Vineyard is a highly acclaimed and storied site owned by two Garys: Pisoni and Francioni. It was planted in the mid ‘90’s to the Pisoni clone of Pinot Noir in Santa Lucia Highlands Arroyo Seco sandy loam soil receiving 10-13 inches of rain a year. Steady Monterey Bay winds provide a long and steady growing season. With my first vintage of Garys’ in 1999 , I became dedicated to the quality of this special place and could sense its old-world beginnings and it’s ability to rival some of the great Burgundy “grand cru” sites.

As in the prior vintage, another classically true Pinot Noir color leaning toward dark ruby in the glass.

Very Burgundian compilation of forest floor, juniper, meaty plum and fruity cherry. As always, this vineyard delivers a weighty yet elegant mouthful and a long, sensual finish.

Fermentation: 15% whole cluster, 5-day cold soak, uninoculated fermentation, open top tank with punch downs, 17-day total maceration, ml in barrel aged sur lie until bottling without fining or filtration. No acid or nutrient additions.

Vinous/Galloni 94 pts
“The 2023 Pinot Noir Garys’ Vineyard is bright, punchy and super-expressive. Lively acids
drive through a core of red-toned fruit, chalk, mint, spice and crushed rocks. This shows
terrific energy and cut. Sean Capiaux gave this fruit a bit more time on the skins in 2023.”
Drinking Window: 2025 – 2033; Reviewed December 2024

Appellation:  Santa Lucia Highlands

Vineyard:  100% Garys’

Harvest Date: October 7th  

Bottling Date: August 2024

Release Date: April 2025

Aging: French oak, 30% new

Months Aging: 11

Brix @ Harvest: 27.1

pH: 3.8

TA (g/1): 5.5

Alcohol: 14.3

Production: 175 cases