Campion Green Gate Vineyard Chardonnay Slo Coast 2023 750ml
DescriptionFrom the emerging SLO Coast AVA, where Pacific fog and limestone soils create conditions reminiscent of Burgundy's Côte d'Or, comes this exceptional single-vineyard Chardonnay. Green Gate Vineyard, perched on a windswept ridge just miles from the ocean, produces fruit of extraordinary concentration and minerality. Campion's minimal intervention approach allows this exceptional terroir to speak clearly, creating a Chardonnay that balances California richness with Old World elegance. The 2023 vintage, marked by a long, cool growing season, has produced wines of exceptional balance and complexity.
The nose immediately signals something special—not the overtly buttery, tropical style that defined California Chardonnay for decades, but something more nuanced and complex. Lemon curd and green apple provide the initial impression, followed by notes of white flowers, struck flint, and sea spray that speak to the vineyard's proximity to the Pacific. There's a subtle oak influence that adds complexity through notes of vanilla bean and toasted hazelnut without dominating. As the wine opens, additional layers reveal themselves: chamomile tea, white peach, and a distinctive chalky minerality.
On the palate, this Chardonnay achieves remarkable balance between richness and freshness. The texture is creamy and enveloping, yet there's a spine of acidity that keeps everything focused and energetic. Flavors of citrus zest, pear, and white nectarine are complemented by more complex notes of brioche, roasted almonds, and wet stones. The oak integration is masterful—present enough to add complexity and texture but never overwhelming the delicate fruit and mineral notes. Mid-palate reveals unexpected notes of lemon verbena and subtle salinity that add an extra dimension.
Campion's winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention and maximum expression of place. Native yeast fermentation, partial malolactic fermentation, and aging in a combination of new and neutral French oak create complexity while maintaining freshness. Extended lees aging adds texture and depth without heaviness. The result is a wine that feels both substantial and ethereal, with each sip revealing new facets of its complex personality.
The finish is long and evolving, with citrus and mineral notes gradually giving way to subtle oak spice and a lingering sensation of wet stones. There's a beautiful tension between fruit and mineral, richness and acidity, that keeps the palate engaged and eager for another sip. This is Chardonnay that pairs brilliantly with seafood, roasted chicken, or cream-based dishes, yet has enough complexity to be savored on its own. For those seeking California Chardonnay with a sense of place and restraint, this bottle represents the exciting new direction of the state's premium white wine production.
