Larry Brooks is one of the "veterans" of the California Pinot Noir scene, having focused almost exclusively on this grape for nearly 30 years, dating back to the early days of Acacia, when it was still a source for "serious" Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A few years ago he founded his own Pinot-centric Campion label with a view to producing small lots of what are essentially hand-crafted wines.

The 2005 vintage was challenging, with both spring and summer being cooler than normal, but this has worked in favor of the Santa Lucia bottling: whereas many Pinots from this bench lying west of Salinas can be overripe, Syrah-like beasts, the '05 Campion from this region is all about finesse and aromatic complexity. Aromas of strawberry and raspberry are followed on the palate by similar red fruits flavors but with an overlay of brown spices (cinnamon, cardamom) and ginger.

John Winthrop Haeger (Pacific Pinot Noir): "Across the board, Campion pinots are visually stunning, modestly extracted, transparent to terroir, aromatically impressive, and texturally rewarding. (2008)"