Scores and Reviews
Scroll to view all scores and reviews by vintage, most recent vintage first.
Vintage 2023
| Wine Name | Varietal | Publication | Score | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meursault Charmes 1er Cru | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 96 | The 2023 Chardonnay Meursault 1er Cru Charmes is a bright, golden yellow color and offers tropical notes of pineapple, fresh peach, citrus custard, and hints of corn kernels. The palate is full and fleshy, with a long, structured finish. I love the refreshing nature of this wine and its bright spine of acidity. Drink 2025-2040. |
| Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru | Pinot Noir | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 95 | The 2023 Pinot Noir Grand Cru Charmes-Chambertin, exhibiting a deeper ruby/magenta color, presents more spiced perfume with notes of dark stones, toasted incense, black cherries, and hints of lavender, along with a light rustic and herbal character. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with ripe tannins and has a more powerful feel, with more profound depth and a long finish. It’s a lovely and approachable wine in this vintage, with dark mineral persistence and the ability to age with ease over the coming 15 years, offering a wide window for enjoyment. |
| Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 97 | The 2023 Chardonnay Grand Cru Corton-Charlemagne is reductive and highly expressive, revealing fleshy layers of ripe mango, custard, golden citrus, vanilla, and hints of almond and hazelnut. Full-bodied, with a long, powerful finish, this is a contemplative wine of profound depth. Drink over the coming two decades. |
| Pommard Clos Des Epenots 1er Cru | Pinot Noir | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 94 | Pouring a deeper ruby red color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epenots is a lovely wine with a ripe feel, featuring notes of black raspberries, fresh violets, and a darker, earthy, and floral bouquet. The palate is rounded and supple, with ripe tannins and a fruity character, although gentle earthy notes are also present. It’s a pretty style for this site to drink over the coming 15 or more years. |
| Chambertin Grand Cru | Pinot Noir | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 97 | A deep red color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Grand Cru Chambertin is lovely with hints of mocha, sweet berries, grenadine, and hints of blue fruit. It has ripe tannins, with noble structure and a long-lasting, deep finish, offering notes of ripe crushed flowers and a sweet vanilla perfume. Drink 2027-2047. |
| Beaune Les Cent Vignes 1er Cru | Pinot Noir | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 93 | A medium red color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Beaune Les Cent Vignes is approachable and delicately savory, with notes of ripe wild strawberries, fresh spices, dried flowers, and dusty baked earth. Medium-bodied and elegantly styled, with fine tannins and a lovely, finessed feel, it’s a beautiful wine to drink over the coming 15 years. |
| Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 96 | Corton-Charlemagne was one of the original inspirations of Chris Hermann and his wife Kathryn, who produce wines in Oregon, Champagne and Burgundy. The sources of the grapes have changed, but the result, using his touted ‘black Chardonnay’ method of crush and hard press, produces compelling results. I tasted three barrels from three sources, and the results range from creamy and floral to passion fruit, citrus peel and nectarine. The provisional blend is a wine that will age gracefully for decades. |
| Beaune Les Cent Vignes 1er Cru | Pinot Noir | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 93 | This has very moreish blueberry fruit and an approachable, silky texture with well-managed tannins, medium body and a lingering finish. The grapes are from the large climat at the base of the slope behind the town. They are gently fermented as one-third whole clusters before ageing in cask to deliver this fruit-driven wine that should be accessible soon after bottling and drink well over the following 15 years. |
| Meursault Charmes 1er cru | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 94 | There is a beautiful texture to the 2023 Meursault Charmes from 00 Wines – I tasted several barrels with consistent results. Each had a ripe pear aroma, hints of hazelnut, an edge of lemon peel and a floral note. The texture was generous but not heavy, with a buttery edge, a slight, pleasant hint of phenolic bitterness and a lingering finish. Local winemaker Maxance Lecas and advisors Burgundia Oenologie are using the same ‘black Chardonnay’ winemaking protocol to craft marvellous, ageworthy wines. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 96 | Crushed stones, sand and cooked apples with smoke and ash show clearly on the nose. Medium-bodied with a tight, focused palate that is compacted and textured. Very integrated. Classy and refined. Drink now. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 98 | Plenty of sliced citrus fruit with some matchstick and iron character. It’s medium-bodied with a focused, compacted center palate that shows stony flavors with cooked apples and lemon tart. Long and complex. Give this time to open, but it’s already very impressive. Drink or hold. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvee | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | Subtle and transparent, showing dried green apples, yogurt, lemon and lime rind and oyster-shell character on both the nose and palate. Full-bodied yet tight and intense with phenolics that flow through the wine. Lightly chewy but polished and caressing in the finish. A fantastic chardonnay with lots of flavor and texture. Drink or hold. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | Aromas of black cherries, ripe strawberries, forest flowers and iodine follow through to a medium body with fine, creamy tannins that are velvety and caressing. Delicious finish. Drink or hold. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | Lots of coconut and wood on the nose with apple pie and citrus. Both dried and cooked apples with coconut continue on the full-bodied, really flavorful and tangy palate. Some yogurt and matchstick in the finish. Delicious and fresh. If you like full-throttle chardonnay, this is it. Drink or hold. |
| Stardance | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 94 | Matchstick, flint and black-cherry aromas come through clearly with some dried strawberries and iodine. Medium-bodied with firm, fine tannins and a lightly chewy finish. Pretty texture with just a hint of wood at the end. Give it two or three years to come together. Drink or hold. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | Lots of flint and matchstick on the nose with sliced-lemon and apple aromas that follow through to a medium body with a tight, focused palate and a crisp, lively finish. The phenolics come out at the end with a lightly chewy texture. Some lemongrass undertones. Drink now or hold. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | Hibiscus and dried strawberries with some orange peel and lemongrass. It’s medium-bodied with creamy tannins and a lightly chewy finish. Hints of cedar. Classy. Young but very well done. Give it a year or two, but why wait? Sourced from vines planted by Dick Erath in 1968. Drink or hold. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 94 | Sliced cooked apples, mangoes and hints of bread dough come through nicely with a medium to full body and creamy texture. Dried-apple, pie and lemon undertones on the palate. Tangy and lively at the end. Drink now. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | Transparent and minerally, showing dark-cherry and forest-floor aromas with some ink and blood undertones. Medium-bodied with beautiful integration and excellent length that goes on for minutes. Firm tannins. Vivid. From ungrafted vines planted in the 1970s. Drink or hold. |
| Hyland | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | Aromas of chalk, stones, lemons and limes with some gunmetal and orange peel. It’s medium-bodied with a tight palate. Searing acidity gives energy and drive to the lightly chewy finish. Drink or hold. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 96 | Aromas of meringue, vanilla, dried apples and flint are more than evident. Medium-bodied with chewy yet integrated phenolics that run up and down the palate. Racy finish. Drink or hold. |
| Koosah | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | A new wine with fascinating aromas of flint, crushed stones, dried lemons and sliced oranges that follow through to a medium body with a focused palate and a long, linear finish. It’s packed with flavor intensity yet zingy and alive. Chablis-like. Drink or hold. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 99 | The 2023 00 Wines Seven Springs Chardonnay opens with a light to medium golden yellow core and a pale straw rim, setting the stage for a beautifully expressive nose that immediately channels the unmistakable 00 signature. Fresh linens mingle with lemon citrus zest, yellow apple, sweet spice, and a lift of honeysuckle, creating an aromatic profile that feels both vivid and inviting. On the palate, the wine leans into white nectarine and wet clay tones that bring texture and subtle earthiness. The medium body carries elevated acidity that frames the fruit with striking precision. As it progresses, the wine stretches into an exceptionally long finish that seems to unfurl endlessly. Highly recommended. |
| Hyland | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | The 2023 00 Wines Hyland Chardonnay begins with a light lemon-toned core that fades toward a silver rim, immediately presenting itself with purity and lift. Aromas of lemon verbena, green apple, apricot skin, dried slate, and dusty road emerge in a sequence that feels both bright and grounded. On the palate, the wine turns rounded and gorgeous, carrying flavors of lemon zest and lime zest that add tension and vibrancy. A touch of tree nut and a subtle wet white-clay character deepen the mid-palate, giving the wine textural nuance. Its medium body feels well-proportioned, allowing each component to glide effortlessly. The finish extends with delicious length, bringing the citrus and mineral tones into graceful harmony. Pair this with pan-seared scallops resting on a silky cauliflower purée dotted with preserved lemon. Highly recommended. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | The 2023 00 Wines Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir opens with a medium ruby purple core that transitions into a shimmering neon red rim, giving the wine an immediately striking visual presence. The nose gathers beautifully, offering dried purple wildflowers, marionberries, crushed blueberries, sweet Christmas spice, and a light thread of cedary herbs. On the palate, the wine carries lovely blue fruit tones layered with earthy accents that add grounding complexity. Moderate tannins shape the structure while the medium body maintains a graceful sense of balance. A moderate plus lift of acidity brings freshness without overshadowing the fruit. As the wine glides toward the finish, the interplay of earth and vibrant fruit remains at the forefront, creating a lingering and expressive close. The combination of texture and aromatics suggests continued development in the years ahead. Highly recommended. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | The 2023 00 Wines Shea Pinot Noir opens with a medium ruby blue core that immediately draws attention to its vibrancy and depth. Blueberry and Marionberry aromas rise first, followed by a smooch of rhubarb that adds lift and brightness. Layers of dried lavender and white pepper offer an herbal and spicy counterpoint, adding nuance to the nose. On the palate, the body shows gorgeous weight, bringing perfect balance to the interplay of fruit, spice, and earth. The tannins are grippy yet polished, creating structure without overshadowing the wine’s medium-bodied frame. Moderate plus acidity keeps everything lively, allowing the wine’s detail to unfold with clarity. It is already compelling, though clearly destined to show even more in 2027 and beyond. Highly recommended. |
| Stardance | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 97 | The 2023 00 Wines Stardance Pinot Noir shows a brilliant ruby tone and opens with aromas of crushed cranberries, wild plum, dried rose hips, and hints of bay leaf that unfold as the wine gains air. A subtle accent of clay drifts beneath the fruit, adding a gentle rustic character that enhances the wine’s complexity. On the palate, the wine glides with medium-bodied finesse, carrying bright red fruit woven with a lifted current of acidity that keeps everything taut and focused. Softly firm tannins create texture without overwhelming the wine’s elegance, allowing its mineral-driven undertones to come through. As it continues to evolve in the glass, a savory note reminiscent of crushed river stones and dried earth emerges. The finish stretches gracefully with a lingering echo of red berries and earth that promises even greater nuance as the wine matures. Highly recommended. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 97 | The 2023 00 Wines EGW Chardonnay begins with a pale ivory tone and opens into aromas of crushed river stones, bergamot, and early spring pear, all lifted by a faint hint of chamomile. As the wine unfolds, a gentle creaminess stretches across the palate, carrying flavors of baked quince and preserved lemon that gather richness without ever feeling heavy. A sleek line of acidity flows underneath, shaping the wine with clarity and giving each sip a refreshing drive. Subtle notes of hazelnut skin and airy vanilla bean glide in near the finish, weaving themselves into the wine’s naturally vibrant profile. The texture shifts between silk and tension, creating a layered sense of movement that deepens as it evolves in the glass. Highly recommended. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 96 | Drawing entirely from volcanic soils, the 2023 00 Wines VGW Chardonnay presents a glowing pale gold tone and opens with scents that drift toward crushed seashells, citrus zest, and cool minerality, followed by hints of nectarine flesh. As it moves across the palate, the wine leans into flavors of salted golden apple and lightly caramelized orchard fruit, shaped by a supple texture that stays lifted and vibrant. A clean, shining line of acidity keeps everything finely tuned, allowing the wine’s energy and finesse to unfold with impressive clarity. This bottling serves as 00 Wines’ entry-level Chardonnay, yet it carries an elegance and confidence well beyond what the wine suggests. The VGW finishes with a gentle snap of salinity and citrus that leaves the palate refreshed. Highly recommended and editor’s choice. |
| Koosah | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 99 | The 2023 00 Wines Koosah Chardonnay from the Eola-Amity Hills opens with a light lemon core framed by a glinting silver rim, immediately setting the stage for its bright, focused personality. Notes of lemon zest and green apple unfold with clarity, joined by crushed volcanic stone and airy floral tones that drift upward with grace. A subtle touch of wet clay earth grounds the wine, adding nuance beneath the more lifted aromatics. On the palate, its high acidity provides a vivid spine that shapes the medium body with precision, creating a sense of perfect balance and finely tuned tension from start to finish. The wine moves with energy and poise, each element woven together in a way that feels both controlled and vibrant. By the end, the purity of fruit and finesse of structure linger with impressive definition. What a stunning bottle of wine! Highly recommended and editor’s choice. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 96 | The 2023 00 Wines VGR Pinot Noir begins with lifted aromas of crushed pomegranate, Bing cherry, dried rose petals, and forest floor dusted with cedar shavings. As it gathers on the palate, the wine leans into flavors of wild strawberry and subtle spice tones, supported by a soft earthiness that adds quiet depth. Its medium weight allows the fruit to glide easily while the tannins stay finely textured and subtly gripping. A gentle thread of allspice appears near the finish, giving the wine a warming contour that lingers with polished ease. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 99 | The 2023 00 Wines Richard Hermann Cuvée Chardonnay opens with a brilliant yellow hue and quickly releases an aromatic profile that leans toward crushed limestone, kaffir lime leaf, tangerine peel, and subtle hints of toasted anise. Layers of white tea and blooming citrus blossoms drift in after a moment, giving the nose a lifted elegance. As it settles on the palate, the wine broadens into a luxurious texture, shaped by flavors of white pear and lime zest, along with a faint almond cream character that adds gentle richness. A vibrant streak of acidity keeps the wine sculpted and energetic, carrying its fullness without letting it feel weighty. The finish stretches gracefully, layering mineral tension with soft orchard fruit tones in a way that continues to evolve long after each sip. Pair this with roasted sablefish draped in a ginger-infused beurre blanc alongside caramelized leeks. Editor’s choice. Highly recommended. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 99 | The 2023 00 Wines Freya Hermann Cuvée Chardonnay boasts a medium golden core edged by a vivid neon-toned rim, immediately signaling its intensity. Aromas rise with striking presence, offering crushed volcanic rock, cut apricot, nectarine essence, and a whisper of tangerine zest, all wrapped in a subtle herbal lift. Once on the palate, the wine expands with full-bodied weight, delivering concentrated layers of preserved lemon and white peach that merge with a vibrant current of acidity. That electric streak runs through the richness, creating a push and pull that energizes each sip. Beneath the fruit lies a mineral frame that adds both structure and definition, gradually giving way to tones of warm spice and faint nuttiness. The wine’s density is matched by its drive, allowing it to maintain focus even as it reveals more depth. It finishes with powerful length, echoing citrus, stone, and spice in a way that promises wonderful evolution over the coming years. Highly recommended. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 99 | The 2023 00 Wines Kathryn Hermann Cuvée Chardonnay opens with a radiant golden hue and quickly unfurls aromas of crushed oyster shell, grilled tangerine, chamomile tea, and shaved nutmeg, all supported by a subtle thread of Bosch pear. After spending time in barrel, the wine has developed striking layers that glide across the palate with flavors of roasted citrus, ripe nectarine, and a gentle hint of fresh wildflower. Its full body feels both powerful and refined, shaped by a silky texture that deepens as the wine moves toward the finish. A refined mineral line runs beneath the richness, giving the wine tension and nerve. As it continues to evolve in the glass, the fruit and spice interplay becomes increasingly intricate, revealing notes that feel simultaneously fresh and beautifully matured. The finish lingers with impressive length, carrying the echoing tones of citrus and warm spice that unfold long after each sip. Highly recommended. |
Vintage 2022
| Wine Name | Varietal | Publication | Score | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shea | Pinot Noir | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 96 | Also from Yamhill-Carlton, the 2022 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard pours a shade deeper ruby color and is smoky and spiced with ripe cherries, incense, nutmeg, and toasted pine. It saturates the palate with a medium-bodied frame, ripe tannins, mouthwatering salinity, and a long-lasting finish. It’s a strong offering from the Shea Vineyard and will be worth revisiting over the next 12-15 years. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 93 | The 2022 Pinot Noir VGR (Very Good Red) has a bright ruby hue and boasts expressive aromas of wild raspberries, fresh lavender perfume, walnut, and forest earth. Medium-bodied, it offers a savory and lightly gamey richness, with refined tannins and elegant spices that linger on the finish. It’s approachable now, though I imagine it has another 10 years of peak enjoyment ahead. |
| Stardance | Pinot Noir | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 95 | Coming from Yamhill-Carlton, the 2022 Pinot Noir Stardance pours a bright/ruby color and is highly perfumed, though slightly reductive, which dissipates with some air. It reveals a wonderfully floral bouquet, with potpourri, preserved strawberries, fresh leather, and fresh sage. Medium-bodied, the palate offers a refreshing spine of acidity, fine tannins, and a delicate, sanguine, iron-noted finish. It warrants decanting if opening soon and is deserving of another couple of years in bottle. Drink 2026-2046. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 95 | Showing off a bit more power in the range, the 2022 Chardonnay Chehalem Mountain Vineyard is a bright yellow/golden color and reveals notes of ripe peaches, flinty wet stones, corn kernels, and orange peel. Full-bodied, it has electric energy that cuts through the wine, with more concentrated richness, and it lasts for ages on the palate. It’s a more assertive wine overall and should have the structure to drink at its best for another decade or more. Drink 2025-2040. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 94 | Bright and expressive, the 2022 Chardonnay VGW displays a straw hue and layers of preserved lemon, gunflint, ripe apples, beeswax, and almond. Full-bodied, it has a driving core of acidity, a silky texture, and impressive length. This fantastic appellation-level Chardonnay delivers plenty of intensity. Drink 2025-2035. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 94 | 94+. Focused and vibrant, the 2022 Chardonnay EGW reveals pure notes of lemon curd, saline, fresh flowers, bright green apples, and toasted spice. Medium to full-bodied, it offers zesty acidity and a pithy texture, with crisp lift and a long finish. Compared to VGW, this has more tension and focus and should improve over the next few years. Drink 2025-2037. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 96 | Pouring a bright straw/yellow hue, the 2022 Chardonnay Seven Springs Vineyard offers lifted, flinty, and reductive notes upon opening, with aromas of crushed stones, salted pineapples, lime leaf, and vanilla. Coming from the Eola-Amity Hills, this medium to full-bodied Chardonnay boasts lovely richness balanced with a weightless feel and features a silky texture with a long-lasting finish. It’s a gorgeous wine from Kathryn and Christopher Hermann, perfect for enjoying over the next 10-15 years. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 97 | Pouring a bright golden yellow color, the 2022 Chardonnay Freya Hermann Cuvee sees two years in barrel. Notes of smoky earth, brûléed lemon, custard, vanilla, and pure green apples all emerge from the glass. Full-bodied, it’s the same wine, but with more aging, and has a rounded feel. It takes things up a notch, with Grand Cru-like richness, a silky texture from this undisclosed site, and a long, lingering finish that lasts for ages. Drink over the coming 15 years. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 96 | The bright yellow 2022 Chardonnay Richard Hermann Cuvee opens with flinty, reductive notes and aromas of lemon oil, green apples, dusty earth, and fresh flowers. Full-bodied yet light on its feet, it glides across the palate with finesse. Integrated oak brings hints of crème brûlée to balance its rich core of citrus, and the finish is long and harmonious. This wine is absolutely delicious. Drink 2025-2040. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Claire Nesbitt | 96 | Flint, green apples and white rosemary on the nose, reductive to start with, opening up to wildflower honey, lemon curd and bread. Deliciously saline and creamy on the palate, with a salted-butter edge to the flinty and zesty fragrances. Full-bodied and layered. From Wente clones. Better from 2026. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Claire Nesbitt | 97 | This is so fragrant. Pralines, sesame seeds, wild herbs, lemon tart and dried apples on the nose, with lightly bitter green-tea and fennel flavors coming through on the palate. It’s caressing, textural and creamy, with beautiful integration. Minerally, lightly nutty and salty all at the same time. From Wente clones. Matured for two years in barrels. Drink from 2026. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Claire Nesbitt | 98 | Wild and perfumed, this full-bodied chardonnay has aromas of miso, white sesame seeds, cardamom, nutmeg and white fruit. It’s wonderfully creamy and textural on the palate, so layered and mouth-filling, but tense and energetic at the same time. Long and vivid. From Dijon clones. Drink or hold. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, Claire Nesbitt | 96 | Beautiful aromas of wild cherries, sliced strawberries, chocolate digestives, peaches and sweet spices. It’s medium-bodied, pure and silky on the palate, with very fine tannins and wonderful transparency and finesse. Very long, cool finish. Made from hand-destemmed whole berries fermented in clay amphorae, then aged in barrels. Drink or hold. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, Claire Nesbitt | 94 | A gorgeous nose of hazelnuts, cherries, raspberries, button mushrooms, tea leaves and vanilla bean. It’s vibrant and fruit-forward, with zesty and racy acidity and tight-knit tannins. Tight, cool finish. From Yamhill-Carlton (including the Shea and Highland vineyards) and Chehalem Mountains. Try after 2026. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Claire Nesbitt | 96 | An intensely flinty, zesty, smoky and fragrant white. On the palate it’s salty, immensely concentrated and fresh, with heaps of crushed stone, flint and citrus rind flavors. Medium-bodied and electric, while packing a punch. Textured and creamy, too. A large proportion of the grapes comes from the Eola Amity Hills. Drink or hold. |
| Stardance | Pinot Noir | Decanter, Clive Pursehouse | 95 | 00 Wines is owned by Chris and Kathryn Hermann, and Stardance sits on an east-facing slope in the Yamhill-Carlton appellation, planted in 2003 – a clear-cut, former old-growth forest plot that was acquired by the Kloss family, who farmed it organically from the beginning. The aromas offer rich earth and turned garden soils, Oregon truffle and forest botanicals. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | Decanter, Clive Pursehouse | 96 | Taut and upright, the Shea bottling celebrates one of the Willamette’s renowned growing sites in the Yamhill-Carlton. Plenty of ripe fruit, with fleshy cherries and a note of plum and rich forest-borne scents of earth and pine on the nose. Fermented in amphora, then aged in 60% new French oak, it shows a spiced and umami character as fleshy red and black berries envelope pine sap, and salty notes of dark soy. The finish is invigorating, and given the intensity, this one will cellar wonderfully. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Decanter, Clive Pursehouse | 97 | The 00 Chardonnay is made with a heavy pressing and allowed to oxidise before fermentation, an old Burgundian method from the last century, referred to as Black Chardonnay. The wines then sit with the heavy lees in the barrel with no battonage. It creates a rich texture and structure that makes for an ageable Chardonnay. The 00 Chardonnays really shine in this bottling. The Richard Hermann Cuvée reveals an impressive bouquet of beeswax and honey that revels in rich lemon curd and a light, airy note of lemongrass and gunsmoke. The palate shows excellent clarity, with piquant notes of salted lemon wedge that cut through sweet peach candies, chipped flint minerality and green mangoes. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Decanter, Clive Pursehouse | 98 | A New World Chardonnay approaching perfection, this wine like all the 00 Chardonnay’s goes through the ‘Black Chardonnay’ method, coming from the very old Chehalem Mountain Vineyard site, planted by Dick Erath in 1969, the third in the Willamette Valley, to own rooted Wente Clone Chardonnay. It’s beguilingly reductive in the aromatics, as chipped flint smokiness layers on top of grilled pineapple laced with clover honey and candied ginger on the fringes. The palate is lithe, lively and edgy as ocean brine frames ripe and full Meyer lemon pulp, a gorgeous creaminess brightened by green mangoes and ripe grilled peach. Intense and complete. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Decanter, Clive Pursehouse | 96 | This wine blends clones and appellations, with Dijon clones from the Eola-Amity Hills and Old Wente Chardonnay from the very old vine site, Chehalem Mountain Vineyard. It has a reductive and smoky aromatic profile with flashes of fresh-cut lemon, chipped flint, and seaspray. There’s a vibrance to this Chardonnay, yet it carries weight in the texture with flavours of salted lemon wedge, lifted citrus zest, and a salty oyster brine that carries through the finish. It’s fresh and zesty. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Decanter, Clive Pursehouse | SUBMITTED CAN’T FIND SCORE | |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Decanter, Clive Pursehouse | 96 | With the same Eola-Amity Hills sourcing as the Richard Hermann bottling, the Freya Hermann Cuvée spends additional time in elévage, spending two full years in barrel. Reductive yet unctuous with a stunning texture owing to the ‘Black Chardonnay’ methodology that 00 adheres to. Aromas of smoky grilled pineapple, petrichor and grilled lemon wedge. The palate is hedonistic, with lush tropical fruits, deep lemon curd notes and a saline streak that lifts this wine to such great heights. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | Decanter, Clive Pursehouse | 97 | A captivating example of why the Eola-Amity Hills may just be America’s best Chardonnay appellation. From the famed Eola Springs site’s Block H, with a mix of Dijon and California heritage clones. The Chardonnay protocols at 00 Wines include agressively pressing the wines, allowing it to oxidize in the pan, and elevage includes all the heavy lees. The goal is to maximize the phenolics and all the good stuff, known in Burgundy as the ‘Black Chardonnay’ method.A depth of lemon curd, rich ripe Brazilian papaya and notes of roast almond skin alight the glass with a piquant seaspray saline freshenss. The palate is lush, citrus cream, clover honey and fleshy ripe peach. A dazzling minerality finishes this wine so impeccably fresh. |
| Meursault Charmes 1er cru | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 95 | The 2022 Meursault Charmes 1er Cru is vibrant yellow-gold with lime green inflections. Smoky reduction wafts up at first then blows off to reveal notes of rosemary, stone dust and crushed nectarines. Purity defines the nose. Cooling acidity and a saline mineral tinge appear up front as ripe fruits mingle with a hint of sage and citrus throughout. Youthful tension wraps the senses through the lip-smacking finish, while a saline resonance forces the palate to salivate. Give this another year or two of cellaring as it’s packed with potential. |
| Stardance | Pinot Noir | Vinous, Eric Guido | 94 | 94+. The 2022 Chardonnay EGW slowly evolves in the glass as nuances of sweet sage and mint come together with Asian pear and stone dust. This is a model of elegance and form, silken and round with ripe orchard fruits offsetting tactile mineral tones and a tinge of sour citrus. The 2022 tapers off with exceptional length through the flinty finale, as a lemony concentration lingers under a savory herbal resonance. The EGW has Premier Cru white Burgundy written all over it. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 95 | Delicate and floral in the glass, the 2022 Chardonnay Seven Springs blossoms with a bouquet of chamomile, mint and yellow apples as a hint of smoky reduction adds lovely contrast. Supple and round but also quite savory, this washes across the palate with a salty mix of white pit fruits and lime as exotic inner spice tones move across the palate. It finishes like liquid potpourri, saline and long, leaving a crunchy sensation and a citrus tinge that linger so long. The 2022 is a spice box with many years of evolution ahead of it. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 94 | The 2022 Chardonnay EGW slowly evolves in the glass as nuances of sweet sage and mint come together with Asian pear and stone dust. This is a model of elegance and form, silken and round with ripe orchard fruits offsetting tactile mineral tones and a tinge of sour citrus. The 2022 tapers off with exceptional length through the flinty finale, as a lemony concentration lingers under a savory herbal resonance. The EGW has Premier Cru white Burgundy written all over it. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 96 | The 2022 Chardonnay Richard Herman Cuvée combines richness with fruit intensity. Masses of crushed stone, dried herbs and a hint of white smoke give way to green apples and nuances of sesame seed. Lively tension abounds; the 2022 is crisp yet silken in feel, with a cascade of inner florals and citrus concentration complementing tart orchard fruit. It tapers off structured and full of tension, with a lemony resonance and crunchy mineral tones that leave the palate thirsting for more. Fantastic. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | Vinous, Eric Guido | 92 | The highly expressive 2022 Pinot Noir VGR mixes kirsch liqueur with crushed blackberries, violets and sage, taking on a savory whiff of seared meats. It’s round and pliant, displaying lovely lift as juicy acidity motivates its ripe red berry fruits. A subtle tinge of salty concentration adds depth toward the close. The 2022 tapers off with an almost crunchy sensation, long and tactile, leaving a spicy flourish and hints of sour cherry pit to linger on. This is a beautiful wine of contrasts. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 92 | The 2022 Chardonnay VGW tempts the imagination with an evergreen freshness before adding enriching notes of crushed oyster shell and raw almond. This is energetic and mineral-intense, with a stimulating core of zesty acidity and saline-tinged green apple fruit. A sensation of liquid stone adds further complexity as a sour burst of lime and salt lingers through the long, cheek-puckering finale. There is so much tension and verve within, which makes the 2022 a real standout amongst its peers. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 96 | The 2022 Chardonnay Chehalem Mountain pulls the taster down into the earth as a whiff of flowery underbrush, wet stones and crushed rocks leads to musky apricot and the slightest hint of patchouli. Vividly fruit-focused within, it cascades across the palate with ripe orchard fruits and candied citrus tones, all perfectly offset by a whiplash of zesty acidity and a stern core of salty minerals. This leaves the palate saturated in a saline concentration and lemony intensity, tapering off with extreme length and sapidity. The 2022 will require patience to come together fully, especially aromatically, but once it does—look out! |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | Vinous, Eric Guido | 95 | The 2022 Pinot Noir Shea lifts from the glass with a sweetly spiced and floral mix of dried strawberries, rose petals and cloves. Its round textures and supple personality soothe as ripe cherry-berry fruits settle on the palate, with a core of juicy acidity to balance. The 2022 leaves the palate stained in primary concentration through the sapid and long finale, as velvety lavender and liquid stone mask its fine tannins. A tinge of sour citrus offers contrast. This is beautifully balanced yet still has a lot more to say, which only maturity will unlock. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 97 | Each time I revisit the 2022 Chardonnay Freya Herman Cuvée, there is something new to find: wildflowers, shavings of ginger, lime zest, fresh pine, nectarines, apricots and a whiff of incense. The palate is texturally deep, silken and round with elegantly ripe pit fruits. Zesty acidity propels a twang of sour citrus as perfumed inner florals arc across the senses. The finish is dramatically long and staining yet remains fresh, leaving behind nuances of oyster shell and a hint of spice that linger. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 93 | The 2022 Pinot Noir VGR is youthfully flinty to begin, requiring plenty of air to reveal blackberry, rhubarb, cinnamon stick and woodsy undertones. The medium-bodied palate offers expansive, layered flavors. It’s balanced by juicy acidity and has a long, nuanced finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar or some time in a decanter. |
| Stardance | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | The 2022 Pinot Noir Stardance is a new bottling from 00 Wines. “It usually goes into the VGR,” proprietor Christopher Hermann says, “but in 2022, it was special on its own.” Planted in 2003 on the western side of the Yamhill-Carlton appellation near the coast range, the Pommard vines are own-rooted, unirrigated and biodynamically farmed. The vineyard is located on an east-facing slope that runs from 300 to 550 feet of elevation and the soils are Peavine, an unusual silty clay loam series.\n\nIn the winery, the grapes were destemmed by hand, and whole berries were fermented in 500-liter terracotta amphorae from Tuscany. The wine was matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. The Stardance has open-knit, inviting aromas of cranberry, raspberry, hibiscus, bitter orange and amaro, releasing nuances of spice and mushroom as it spends time in the glass. The medium-bodied palate offers concentrated, crunchy flavors delivered in a silky texture. It’s enlivened by succulent acidity and has a very long, nuanced finish. 1,200 bottles were produced. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | The 2022 Chardonnay Seven Springs is dynamic and expressive! White peach, lemongrass and panna cotta are underpinned by wafts of flint, allspice, honey and almonds on the nose, and as it opens in the glass, it reveals soaring floral perfume. The medium-bodied palate offers complex, highly concentrated flavors, and its new French oak is already well integrated. Its satiny, mouth-coating texture is foiled by vibrant acidity, and it has a very long, nuanced finish. It continued to improve for several days after the bottle was opened and should be long lived in the cellar. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 94 | 94+. The 2022 Chardonnay Kathryn Hermann Cuvée is fantastically spicy, offering layers of peach, graham cracker, matchstick and coriander seed on the nose. The medium-bodied palate has a luxuriously silky texture and highly concentrated, spicy flavors. It’s balanced by vibrant acidity and has a long, dynamic finish. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 93 | The 2022 Pinot Noir Shea is bursting with complex woodsy, musky, spicy perfume that complements a core of wild cherry and cranberry and lures you back to the glass again and again. The medium-bodied palate features pure, concentrated, crunchy flavors. It’s structured by silky tannins and juicy acidity and has a long, spicy finish. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 94 | The 2022 Chardonnay VGW opens with alluring tones of flint and matchstick that give way to golden apples, quince, lemongrass, toast and allspice. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with concentrated, savory, flint-laced flavors. Its depth of flavor and textural presence is foiled by racy acidity, and it has a long, dynamic finish. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 94 | The 2022 Chardonnay EGW has open-knit aromas of peach and lemongrass underpinned by flint, honey and spice. The medium-bodied palate balances expansive, spicy flavors delivered in a silky texture with bright acidity, and it has a long, floral finish. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 93 | 93+. The 2022 Chardonnay Chehalem Mountain is reminiscent of Chablis, focused on flint, chalk and crisp lemon aromas. The light-bodied palate pairs mineral-driven, ethereal flavors with spine-tingling acidity, and it has a long, saline-driven finish. This energetic iteration of Chehalem Mountain Chardonnay will benefit from several years in the cellar. |
| Stardance | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | The 2022 00 Wines Pinot Noir ‘Stardance’ from Yamhill-Carlton displays a medium neon ruby core with a vibrant fluorescent red rim. Sourced from vines planted in 2003, this Pinot’s terroir, rooted in pea vine sedimentary soils, brings a distinct earthy character. After some time to open up, the wine reveals complex aromas of dark cherries, blue plums, Blood orange, pink peppercorn, and dusty herbs, underscored by meaty and damp earth tones. The palate is marked by crunchy tannins, delivering an incredibly fruit-forward finish highlighted by layers of sweet spice and earthy undertones. It’s a wine that marries structure with vibrant fruit, offering a dynamic and evolving earth and spice note on the back of the palate. About 110 cases made. Highly recommended. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | The 2022 00 Wines Chardonnay ‘EGW’ from the Willamette Valley pours a glowing lemon-gold core with a silvery rim, reflecting its radiant character. This vintage blends 65% fruit from Chehalem Mountain and 35% from Seven Springs Vineyard, delivering a beautiful expression of these renowned sites. On the nose, bright green apple, dried lemon citrus peel, and toasted hazelnuts lead the way, followed by delicate notes of dusty herbs, white flowers, and a hint of white pepper and saline. The palate is medium-bodied with bright acidity that adds lift and vibrancy. The finish is long and precise, lingering with a mineral-driven elegance that ties the wine together beautifully. 300 cases produced. Highly recommended. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 97 | The 2022 00 Wines Chardonnay ‘VGW’ from the Willamette Valley showcases a striking neon light lemon core with a watery rim. On the nose, it reveals layers of lemon citrus, fresh yellow pear, and delicate white floral notes, all intertwined with a hint of white clay, dusty herbs, and crushed volcanic stones. The palate is remarkable, with an incredible backbone of acidity that provides impeccable balance and structure. The finish is long and lingering, with the vibrant acidity and mineral-driven complexity leaving a lasting impression. This Chardonnay is beautifully crafted, with a finish that extends for minutes. Can $75 be a value? Here it can! 1500 cases made. Highly recommended. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 96 | The 2022 00 Wines Pinot Noir ‘VGR’ from Willamette Valley pours a captivating medium ruby-blue core with a delicate light pink rim. Crafted from fruit typically destined for the Richard Hermann Cuvée, Chehalem Mountain Old Vines, and Hyland Old Vines, this blend offers a nuanced and layered expression for the vintage. On the nose, spicy pepper and forest herbs provide an inviting introduction, soon followed by flavors of red Bing cherries, mountain huckleberries, and bright orange zest. Earthy notes of damp soil and allspice, alongside an umami complexity, bring depth and intrigue to the palate. With sweet fine-grained tannins and moderate-plus acidity, this Pinot Noir exhibits excellent structure and balance, culminating in a truly refined and elegant finish. A little over 1000 cases made. Highly recommended. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 99 | The 2022 00 Wines Chardonnay ‘Seven Springs’ from Eola-Amity Hills showcases a glowing medium lemon-gold core with a bright yellow rim, highlighting the vibrancy of this stunning vintage. Sourced entirely from Chardonnay vines planted in 2013, this wine beautifully captures the essence of its terroir. Golden pears and sweet spice aromas intertwine with crushed wet volcanic rock and a fresh sea breeze, while hints of both fresh and dried white flowers add an aromatic complexity. On the palate, notes of lemony herbs, sweet white nectarine, and a smooch of toasted hazelnuts round out the generous and plush mouthfeel. This Chardonnay delivers a beautifully balanced and elegant finish, leaving a lasting impression. Absolutely gorgeous from start to finish. 325 cases crafted. Highly recommended and editor’s choice. |
| Shea | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 99 | The 2022 00 Wines Pinot Noir ‘Shea’ from Yamhill-Carlton showcases fruit planted at 550 feet near the treeline in 2002, hand-destemmed and fermented in amphora. Its glowing neon medium ruby core is framed by a striking fluorescent red rim, hinting at the vibrancy within. The nose opens with spiced black cherries and mountain blueberries, complemented by forest herbs, toasted anise, and a savory umami note. On the palate, this Pinot is polished and radiant, with a perfect spine of acidity that balances its plush, rounded tannins. The wine glides effortlessly across the tongue, leading to a finish that lingers for minutes, leaving a lasting impression of elegance and depth. A beautifully structured wine that captures the essence of its unique terroir and vineyard. Only 135 cases crafted. Highly recommended and editor’s choice. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Jim Gordon | 97 | This is a striking, new-wave style of Oregon chardonnay. Fragrant toast, butter and flint aromas lead to a taut, nervy palate of lemon zest, lime pith, green apple, nutmeg and vanilla bean flavors on racy acidity. Medium-bodied, nicely fresh and linear in terms of acidity. Drinkable now, but best from 2028. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Jim Gordon | 98 | One of the richest, most expansive chardonnays from 00 Wines, this goes deep in poached apple, marzipan and brown butter flavors backed by vivid acidity. So alive, layered and concentrated yet light on its feet, with moderate alcohol of 13.5%. Drink now or hold. |
Vintage 2021
| Wine Name | Varietal | Publication | Score | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VGR | Pinot Noir | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 93 | Sourced from three vineyards, the ripe but transparent red 2021 Pinot Noir VGR is a lovely expression of a regional wine, with ripe raspberry, mossy earth, and spicy notes of licorice. Juicy and approachable on the palate, with juicy fruit filling its medium frame, it’s long on the palate, with fine tannins and a hint of warming spice on the finish. Drink it over the next 5-7 years. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 98 | A bright yellow hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Seven Springs Vineyard is vibrant with great energy and focus, offering notes of lime zest, crushed stone, flinty earth, and white peach. Medium-bodied with outstanding electric energy throughout, it has a more linear, focused feel and a long, persistent finish. Drink it over the next 10 or more years. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 94 | A ripe youthful yellow hue, the 2021 Chardonnay VGW is fantastic out of the gates, with ripe aromas of white smoke, lemon balm, salty earth, and white peach. From all volcanic soils, the 2021 Chardonnay VGW is ripe through the palate with generous notes of salted pineapple fruit and a rounded feel, although it’s clean as a whistle and has a fresh lift of acidity. It is drinking wonderfully now and will drink well over the next 5-7 years. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 96 | Similar in appearance, the 2021 Chardonnay EGW (“Extra Good White”) takes on a touch more flinty reduction, with a great balance of ripeness and tension in its notes of ripe peach, lemon zest, and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, it has a beautiful waxy texture but the acidity to cleanse the palate. Citrus oils, almond, and more mouthwatering freshness can be found on its long finish along with a lacy note of custard. Drink 2024-2034. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Pinot Noir | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 98 | A completely different beast, the 2021 Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountain comes from the original vines Dick Erath planted in 1968 on the westernmost edge of the appellation, adjacent to Ribbon Ridge. It pours a medium ruby and is lifted with orange peel citrus, vibrant spiced cranberry, and iron-rich earth. Medium-bodied and energetic, with great tension and incredible energy, it delivers mouthwatering freshness of acidity, fine tannins, and loads of mineral texture. It‘s another very expressive and outstanding wine from the team at 00 Wines. Drink 2025-2040. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvee | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 99 | Coming from an exceptional site (wherever it is ), the clear bright yellow 2021 Chardonnay Richard Hermann Cuvee is another stunner, with wild aromas of lime blossom, lemongrass, flinty wet stone, delicate baking spices, and wild white flowers. It’s rounded on the palate, with full-bodied richness and a hint of fresh almond texture. It’s going to do well over the next 15 or more years. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 100 | Spicy and more brooding, with a rocky mountainous feel, the 2021 Pinot Noir Richard Hermann Cuvee is from an undisclosed site and is loaded with black raspberry eau de vie, crushed pine needles, anise, and fresh lavender. This is the best Pinot Noir I have tasted from the vintage so far and possibly the best wine from the region I have tasted. It delivers salty, mouthwatering persistence and a phenomenal, balanced mouthfeel, with a silky texture and even acidity, and it somehow gains purity all the way through the back palate. Lights out, greatness. Drink it over the coming decades. 221 cases were produced. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 97 | A ripe yellow hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Chehalem Mountain is ripe with notes of white peach, orange blossom, matchstick, and jasmine. Full-bodied with a rich texture as well as driving pithy citrus, it has rich extraction but is incredibly well-balanced. It’s going to need time to show its full expression and reveal more nutty tones of hazelnut and toasty spice. Drink 2025-2035. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 97 | The 2021 Pinot Noir Hyland is exuberant in its personality from own-rooted Coury clone of vines, from a very small parcel within that has direct influence from the Van Duzer Corridor cooling winds. Ripe with aromas of both ripe red and black berries but also has orange oil citrus, and white pepper. Medium to full-bodied it offers a silky texture, with a floral profile, and is absolutely irresistible now. Long on the palate it is going to have a very large drinking window over the coming 15 or more years. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 97 | Hand destemmed and amphora fermented, the 2021 Pinot Noir Shea pours a ripe ruby and reveals aromas of framboise, wild fresh forest earth, and a hint of menthol. Medium to full-bodied, it has great concentration while remaining focused, with ripe tannins and an elegant mouthfeel. Long on the palate, with outstanding balance and fresh purity of fruit, this is a very elegant expression of this site. Drink 2024-2040. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 97 | The Freya Hermann Cuvée is produced from the same vineyard as the wine named for Richard Hermann, except it sees a full two years in barrel. This ‘over barreling’ treatment delivers a bit more oak spice on the nose, but the real difference is textural – it paradoxically seems to have more tension and more density simultaneously. The additional lees ageing also brings a smoky reductive quality that is well integrated. If possible, wait five years to pull the cork and drink it over the next 20 after that. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 94 | The current vintage of the 00 Very Good White (VGW) from 00 is a classic wine with lemony fruit aromas and a hint of acacia flower. There is some oak spice and a bit of reduction, but overall, the wine is elegant and balanced, and nothing seems exaggerated. The grapes are a blend of three Willamette Valley sites, mainly from the upper slopes of Seven Springs. They are foot-trod and firmly pressed before fermentation in French casks (29% new) and aged 12 months in a barrel and six more in the tank. This wine drinks well now but has the substance to improve with mid-term ageing. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 96 | The single vineyard bottling from Seven Springs is superb, with aromas of passionfruit, lime peel, coconut water and crushed mint. The texture is lively and bright, with enough weight to impress but no sense of heaviness. The grapes come from the H Block on the north side of the property and are a combination of Dijon and old-school Wente clones vinified together. They are foot-crushed, pressed very firmly and fermented in French oak before ageing for a year in cask and six months in tank. This superb wine is drinking now and should continue to improve for years. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 95 | The ‘Extra Good White’ (EGW) is an equal blend of Dijon clone Chardonnay from the Eola-Amity Hills for tension and old-vine Wente clone Chardonnay from the marine sedimentary soils on the opposite side of the Willamette Valley for power. The combination is a beguiling balance of vibrant freshness and exotic aromas. The wines are aged for a year in cask (half new) and six months in barrel to produce a polished, elegant result. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 96 | The Kathryn Hermann Cuvée is an exotic wine featuring ripe guava and grapefruit aromas accented with dried mint, coconut water, and smoky reductive notes. The texture balances a supple, lively acidity with a plump, silky density to produce a wine of great elegance. The grapes come from the old vines in the Chehalem Mountain AVA that are foot-crushed and firmly pressed before fermenting in new Damy casks for 24 months to produce this seductive result. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 95 | Creamy and rich, this wine displays impressively pure aromas of ripe apples, exotic tropical fruit, acacia flower, and spice. The texture on the palate is dense but not heavy, and there is plenty of acidity to balance the substantial extract. The grapes are from a 50-year-old vineyard planted to old Wente Clones. They are crushed and firmly pressed to extract phenolic content before and fermented with all their lees but without batonnage to ensure freshness and deliver a seductively textured, complex wine for ageing. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 93 | The Very Good Red [VGR] from 00 Wines boasts delightful plummy fruit aromas and floral notes on the initial attack. The texture is supple and approachable but does not lack the tannin or freshness to drive it to a pleasant finish. The grapes come from the Hyland Vineyard, Shea Vineyard, and an undisclosed source in Eola-Amity hills. The finished wine spends 18 months in French oak (11% new) before bottling. ‘Very Good’ indeed, this is a lovely example of an elegantly vibrant Pinot that expresses the full range of the Willamette Valley. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 94 | This powerful wine offers aromas of mulberry, exotic black teas, and liquorice before seducing with a velvety texture, impressive concentration and tannic grip. A lovely fresh acidity and moderate alcohol temper the intensity here. The Shea Vineyard is planted at a low elevation in Yamhill-Carlton, but this is from the top of the slope – ‘the coolest part of a warm site’ according to owner Chris Hermann. The wine is aged 22 months in cask (half new) before bottling. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Pinot Noir | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 97 | The Chehalem Mountain Old Vine Pinot is the most structured and substantial of the 00 lineup. The 2021 vintage boasts compact aromas of mulberry and pomegranate, with hints of leather and wood smoke and sweet spice aromas from the oak ageing. The texture is dense and powerful, and the finish is impressively persistent. The grapes are from a 50-year-old own-rooted Coury clone Pinot, fermented as individual berries in amphorae and gently extracted before ageing 18 months in new French casks, yet the oak is not intrusive. This wine will open up in three to five years and age another 20 to 30 beyond this. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 96 | The 2021 Richard Hermann Cuvée is a wine of great finesse and elegance, with ripe black cherry fruit aromas marked by rose petals, smoke, and peppery spice. Although the initial attack is still somewhat characterised by the oak ageing, there is the substance, fresh acidity, and firm tannic grip to sustain it. The exact location of this vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills is a closely guarded secret, but it has delivered a wine of substance and subtlety. Aged in cask (60% new) for 18 months, this wine is drinking well now and should last another 20 years. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 95 | This impressive wine boasts ripe mulberry and pomegranate fruit touched with violets and star anise. The vibrant and lively texture has crisp acidity, firm tannins, and enough extract to ensure a lingering finish. The grapes are from 50-year-old ungrafted Coury clone vines, and each grape is individually snipped from its pedicle and fermented without intervention for a week in sealed amphorae before gently pumping over until dry. The result is aged 22 months in cask (two-thirds new) to deliver this concentrated, vibrant result. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 95 | The 2021 Richard Hermann Cuvée is wonderfully fresh and lively, with bright, lemony fruit and aromas of white flowers. This unnamed vineyard’s cool site and volcanic soils in the Eola-Amity Hills have produced a wine of impressive depth and concentration. After fermentation, the wine sees a year in Chassin barrels (67% new) and six months in tank before bottling. This wine is superbly accessible now and will effortlessly age for a decade or more in a proper cellar. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 95 | The 2021 Chardonnay Seven Springs is delicate and nuanced, with hints of raw almond and crushed stone complicating lemon oil and suggestions of pine. Luxuriously smooth and round, this impresses with its textural depths and balance of salty minerals to ripe apple and candied lime. It finishes long and potent yet also remarkably fresh with reverberating acidic tension that keeps the mouth watering for more. This simply stunning, tenacious Chardonnay will enjoy a long life and broad drinking window. Refined in 51% Damy barrels with an extremely light toast. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 94 | The 2021 Chardonnay VGW is dusty and floral, with a nuanced bouquet of lemon oils, nectarine and crushed stone. It’s soft and luxuriously round. Stimulating acidity balances a pretty inner sweetness as mineral-tinged orchard fruits saturate the palate. This finishes long and sapid with a spicy tension as hints of candied citrus slowly fade. The balance within is absolutely fantastic. If served blind, my mind would immediately go to Premier Cru white Burgundy. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 94 | Rich and seductive, the 2021 Chardonnay Richard Herman Cuvée soothes the senses with its vanilla bean and confectionary spice nuances complicated by hints of ground ginger and crushed rocks. It’s ripe in style and fruit-focused, yet masterfully balanced with a sour citrus core and stimulating acidity, exciting the senses. This cleans up beautifully, quite intense and savory, with teeth-chattering tension and a sour lemon rind concentration that keeps the mouth watering for more. The Richard Herman Cuvée plays tricks on the palate, which I find wildly attractive. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 92 | The 2021 Chardonnay EGW lifts with a savory blend of crushed peaches, freshly clipped mint and hints of wet stone. Opening with a pretty inner sweetness, this displays a lovely balance of ripe orchard fruits and savory minerals, all propelled by stimulating acidity and a hint of sour citrus. Long and potent, the EGW finishes with an herbal tinge, leaving a pleasant bitterness on the mid-palate. A blend of Dijon and Original 108 Wente clones from the Chehalem Mountain vineyard. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 94 | The 2021 Chardonnay Kathryn Herman Cuvée is decidedly savory and perfumed with dusty florals and hints of ginger and green apple. This flows across the palate with ease, building with citrusy and flinty mineral tension. A cascade of crunchy orchard fruits creates a more tactile feel toward the close. It finishes long yet clean with a bitter tinge puckering the cheeks and a lingering savory herbal flourish. Totally stimulating. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 96 | The 2021 Chardonnay Freya Herman Cuvée is nuanced in the glass, with dusty florals, young peach and nectarine. Built on purity with medium-weight textures, crisp orchard fruits are complemented by pretty inner florals and hints of hazelnut. The Freya Herman Cuvée finishes long and staining with hints of whole butter and almond custard contrasting lemon zest. While some cellaring is advised to bring forward more aromatic complexity, the 2021 is engaging and full of lively personality. This spends twenty-three months in 100% new Billon French oak barrels. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Pinot Noir | Vinous, Eric Guido | 95 | Rosy and perfumed, the 2021 Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountain Old Vines opens with a burst of crushed strawberries, rosemary and hints of split pine. It’s soft and round with pretty wild berry fruits motivated by juicy acidity. A web of fine-grained tannins emerges through the finish as the 2021 tapers off long and potent, spicy, yet structured, leaving hints of licorice and inner lavender tones to fade slowly. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | Vinous, Eric Guido | 95 | The 2021 Pinot Noir Richard Herman Cuvée is distinctly savory, with hints of sour citrus and wild herbs complicating crushed blackberries. Silky and refined with brilliant acidity, this smooths over the palate with ripe red fruits and sweet spices, taking on a chalky mineral sensation toward the close. It leaves a bitter twang, giving way to a sweet and sour sensation, along with silty tannins, as the mouth is left watering for more. The Richard Herman Cuvée is one of the most balanced and thoroughly enjoyable reds from the 2021 Double O lineup. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | Vinous, Eric Guido | 95 | Earthy with a pleasantly herbal tinge, the 2021 Pinot Noir Hyland lifts from the glass with a spicy blend of dried strawberries, cola and gingery spice. The silky texture is lifted in feel with a savory mix of red berry fruits underscored by saline minerals. The Hyland drenches the palate with primary concentration, leaving a coating of grippy tannins under an air of rosy florals. The 2021 is quite inward today but with the balance for a long and steady evolution. This hails from own-rooted vines from one of the oldest vineyards in Oregon, planted in 1972. It’s one of the most well-rounded and complete wines from 00’s Pinot portfolio. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | Vinous, Eric Guido | 95 | 95+. Sweetly alluring, the 2021 Chardonnay Chehalem Mountain is intense, lifting from the glass with crushed rocks and white smoke, giving way to ginger-tinged green apples accented by hints of almond custard and vanilla bean. Silky, round and supple, this flows easily across the palate, guided by brisk acidity as a salty concentration forms toward the close. The 2021 leaves a minty freshness and cheek-puckering tension as a mineral crunch lingers. I love how the Chehalem Mountain plays on the palate, crisp yet with a balanced opulence. 46% new French oak, Damy barrels. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | Vinous, Eric Guido | 91 | Crushed wild strawberries, lavender and cedar shavings form an inviting bouquet as the 2021 Pinot Noir VGR blossoms in the glass. This opens with a lovely inner sweetness, casting ripe red fruits across a cooling acid core. It finishes long and potent yet with admirable freshness, leaving hints of licorice and the slightest tug of fine tannin. This is a fun and energetic Pinot geared toward accessibility. The VGR (very good red) blends three vineyards: Shea, Stardance and Richard\n Hermann. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | Vinous, Eric Guido | 94 | Dusty and floral, the 2021 Pinot Noir Shea wafts up with a whiff of autumnal spice and dusty rose, giving way to vivid black cherry. Cooling and energetic, crisp red fruits and hints of citrus flow across the palate, all motivated by brisk acidity. A gentle tannic tension lingers as the 2021 tapers off long and crunchy with a lasting hard red candy character. Beautiful today, but with a bright future ahead, this is a total pleasure to taste. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 96 | 96+. Grapes for the 2021 Chardonnay Richard Hermann Cuvée were harvested on September 16. The wine was matured for 12 months in 67% new Chassin oak, plus an additional six months in stainless steel. It demands air and time before revealing candied peach, tropical flowers, allspice and baklava. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive, hinting at more stone and tropical fruit flavors yet to unfurl, but instead finishing with alluring flinty tones. It’s taut and detailed but incredibly coiled, and it’s an excellent candidate for long-term cellaring. Only 73 cases were made. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 96 | 96+. From grapes harvested on September 17, the 2021 Pinot Noir Richard Hermann Cuvée was fermented in concrete and amphorae, and the wine was matured in 60% new Damy Rubis barrels. It has tantalizing aromas that unfold slowly from strawberry and raspberry to nuances of desiccated lilac, tea leaves, allspice and bitters. The palate is seamless! Silky and vibrant, it unfurls layer after fragrant layer as it travels through the mouth, and it has a long, detailed finish. It’s only going to get better from here. 221 cases were made. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 92 | The 2021 Chardonnay VGW comes from grapes harvested September 10–24. The wine was matured for 12 months in 29% new Chassin, Damy and Billon barrels, plus an additional six months in stainless steel. On the nose, white peaches are accented by honeycomb, roasted almonds and honeysuckle. The palate pairs concentrated, honeyed fruit with mouthwatering acidity and a silky texture, and it has a gently perfumed, ethereal finish. Give it a couple of hours in a decanter. 1,218 cases were made. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 92 | The 2022 Pinot Noir VGR comes from grapes harvested September 9–17. It fermented and matured in 11% new oak, concrete and amphorae. It opens with very pretty strawberry jam and Italian plum aromas accented by wafts of tangerine peel, bitters and floral perfume. The light-bodied palate is finely astringent, with taut acidity lending focus to its perfumed fruit, and it has a long, layered finish. With its freshness and floral character, it drinks beautifully straight from the bottle. 457 cases were produced. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 94 | 94+. The 2021 Chardonnay Chehalem Mountain comes from grapes harvested on September 21. The wine matured for 12 months in 50% new Damy oak, plus an additional six months in stainless steel. It has alluring aromas of honeycomb, orange blossom and peach cobbler, and it continues to unfurl aromatically as it airs in the glass. The palate is luxuriously satiny with taut, structuring acidity and a long, latent finish. It has plenty of unwinding left to do. 130 cases were made. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | The 2021 Chardonnay Kathryn Hermann Cuvée comes from grapes harvested on September 24, and the wine was matured for 23 months in 100% new Billon oak. It has singular aromas reminiscent of cinnamon stick and cashews, which very slowly give way to reveal pure Meyer lemon and Hawaiian flowers. The palate is bursting with gregarious flavors that run the gamut from citrus to honey. Its acidity is electric and adds a shimmery quality to the wine that calls you back on the very long, dynamic finish. Only 136 cases were made. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 94 | 94+. Grapes for the 2021 Pinot Noir Shea were harvested on September 9, underwent carbonic maceration in amphorae and matured in 50% new Damy oak. It opens slowly on the nose to reveal red plums, strawberry, licorice, saline and floral perfume. The light-bodied palate is electric! Its pure, fragrant flavors pleasurably flood the mouth, though its velvety tannins and taut acidity give it a weightless feel, and it has a notably long, detailed finish. Only 77 cases were made. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 93 | 93+. Grapes for the 2021 Chardonnay Seven Springs were harvested September 10–22. The wine matured for 12 months in 46% new Chassin oak plus an additional six months in stainless steel. It has an alluring perfume of peach, apricot and citrus blossoms accented by notes of beeswax and roasted almonds. The medium-bodied palate balances a satiny texture and expansive, honey-laced flavors with mouthwatering acidity, and it has a long, floral finish. 251 cases were made. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 93 | 93+. The 2021 Chardonnay EGW comes from grapes harvested September 10–24. The wine was matured for 12 months in 51% new Chassin and Damy oak plus an additional six months in stainless steel. It’s bright and spicy on the nose, with lemon, white pepper and integrated new oak spices slowly giving way to deeper tones of jasmine and spring honey. The medium-bodied palate pairs a mouth-coating texture with taut acidity. Its flint-laced citrusy layers are pure yet tightly coiled, and it will benefit from cellaring. 304 cases were made. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 93 | The 2021 Pinot Noir Hyland comes from grapes harvested on October 4 and underwent carbonic maceration in amphorae before maturing in 100% new Damy Rubis barrels. It has a pure, delicate perfume of cranberry, red cherries, dried herbs, lavender and a kaleidoscope of spicy accents. The medium-bodied palate is silky and refreshing, although it offers a powerful core of earth-laced fruit and a long, spicy finish. Only 70 cases were made. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 93 | 93+. From grapes harvested on September 13, the 2021 Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountain underwent carbonic maceration in amphorae and was matured in 100% new Damy Rubis barrels. It has a pure perfume of saline and strawberry, orange peel and spice, plus soaring floral perfume. The palate is powerful yet weightless: its concentrated core of fragrant fruit is delivered in a silky texture, and its vibrant acidity calls you back to the glass. It deserves 3–5 years in bottle to continue its evolution. Only 73 cases were made. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | 95+. Grapes for the 2021 Chardonnay Freya Hermann Cuvée were harvested on September 16. The wine was matured for 23 months in 100% new Billon oak, which is already exceptionally well integrated. It has an incredible floral perfume and a pure white-apricot core. The palate balances expansive, satiny fruit with taut acidity, and it has a very long, detailed finish. Its concentration and structure point to a long life in the cellar. Only 82 cases were made. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | Very expressive red with sliced strawberry and raspberry with orange peel and lemon rind. Some violets and other flowers, too. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a succulent and subtle fruity finish. Just a hint of chocolate and cedar. Drink after 2025. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | This is layered and creamy with dried apricot and lemon curd with some candied lemon as well. Medium to full body, with lots of tangy fruit and crisp acidity. Lemon tart and sea shell undertones. Drink or hold. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | Lemon rind, green apple, mineral and bread dough aromas. Lemon tart, too. Medium body. Very tangy and acid driven with a steely nature to it. Dried citrus throughout with some fresh lemongrass. Energetic and vivid at the end. This needs time to soften a little. Try after 2025. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 94 | Fresh strawberry with raspberry and floral aromas. Hints of stems. Gorgeous purity of fruit. Medium to full body with juicy fruit and fine tannins. Very layered and flavorful. Tightens up at the end. Drinkable but better in 2025. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | Lots of dried apple with apricot flesh and peel with some reduction giving it hints of flint on the nose. Full-bodied and powerful with a chewy texture that gives this fantastic structure. It’s layered and tannic. A wine for long term aging. Best after 2026. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | This is very beautiful and subtle with sliced hibiscus, dried strawberry, raspberry and lemongrass. Some volcanic undertones. It’s medium-bodied with light fine tannins and a crunchy, crisp finish. Lightly chewy. A subtle and vivid wine with sophisticated character. Own-rooted vineyards, planted in 1972. Known as the Coury clone. Rather ethereal. Drink after 2025. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 98 | Impressive aromas of dried apple, white truffle, toffee and crushed stone. Great aromas. Medium to full body with a precise and focused palate with superb complexity and intensity of flavor. Nuts. White truffle. Cedar. Dry and fresh fruit. Fantastic texture, too, with a light chewiness. Thought-provoking wine. The finish is something else. Best after 2025 but already a joy to taste. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | Lots of blue fruits, mushrooms, bark and black cherries. Minerals. Medium to full body, creamy and round tannins and a savory finish. It’s fresh and fine velvety textured. Juicy at the end with a terra-cotta undertone. Give it two or three years to open up. Try after 2025. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | A crunchy and crisp chardonnay with sliced green apple, lemon, and hints of vanilla and cream. It’s tight and focused with a subtle palate of intense flavors. Very long and flavorful. Beautiful and poised finish. Drinkable, but a year or two more of bottle age will bring it out even more. Best after 2024. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 96 | Very floral with honeysuckle, orange peel, apple, and stone. Apricot. Violets. Full-bodied with layers of tannins that give you a velvety texture. Lovely texture with a lemon pie, meringue and light mango finish. So luscious and velvety textured. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 98 | Very aromatic and lifted aromas of pie crust, dried apples, caramel, toffee and gun metal with gunpowder undertones. Complex and provocative. Full and very layered on the palate with dried fruits of apple, mango and apricot. Phenolic and textured with a slightly chewy sense. It goes on in the finish and delivers lots of flavor and diversity. Give this time to come together. Best after 2026. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 96 | The 2021 Hyland Pinot Noir from 00 Wines comes from old vines that are own-rooted, were planted in 1972, and are always the last to be picked. Light to medium ruby-garnet core with a brickish rim in the glass, this is a wine with loads of finesse as it glides across the palate. Very floral and herbaceous on the nose with notes of crushed black cherry and red plum skin alongside shades of dried rose petals, freshly cut hay, forest herbs, umami, and anise. Sweet elegant tannins, lush and mouthwatering acidity pair perfectly with the dried herb and black raspberry finish. Only 74 cases made. Highly recommended. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 96 | Always Dijon clone fruit and mostly Eola-Amity Hills and Mt Pisgha AVA, the 2021 Very Good White rests for 12 months in barrel (30% new French oak) and then 6 months in stainless steel. A light golden lemon core with a silvery rim shines in the glass, it gifts aromas of wet white clay, lemon essence, dried thyme, apricot skin, lemon verbena, and honeysuckle flowers. A medium-bodied mouthfeel, mouthwatering acidity, and a lengthy finish complete the wine. About 1200 cases produced |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 96 | Grapes coming from Shea, Hyland, and Richard Hermann vineyards are combined for the 2021 VGR Pinot Noir by 00 Wines. Boasting a glistening light to medium ruby core with a light pink rim in the glass, the nose pops with outstanding notes of crushed strawberry, bright red raspberry, mountain huckleberry, dried thyme, and wet earth. Tannins are sweet and rounded, while the acidity is perfectly in sync. The rounded and enveloping finish covers the whole palate from top to bottom. 534 cases produced. Highly recommended. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 99 | Single vineyard Chardonnay from Chehalem Mountain, the 2021 vintage, is the best I’ve tasted from the estate, and it kept getting better going back to it over 30 minutes. It was hard to pick my favorite between the Seven Springs and the Chehalem Mountain, but with time, this came out a ‘nose’ ahead (no pun intended.) Glorious aromas pounce from the glass – think fruit notes of white nectarine, freshly sliced apple, and kumquat zest combined with dusty earth, fresh linen, and lemony herbal tones. Acidity is a touch higher than the Seven Springs and made with just a pinch more elegance. Fragrant, light on its feet with incredible power, in a blind it could easily be mistaken for a highly rated Grand Cru Burgundy. An almost perfect Chardonnay that I highly recommend. Editor’s choice. 158 cases produced. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 97 | The 2021 Extra Good White from 00 Wines comes from the Seven Springs South Block, which holds Jory volcanic soils, and Chehalem Mountain Vineyard Block B3, which contains sedimentary soils. A core of shimmering neon lemon with a silver rim in the glass, it’s powerful yet elegant in structure. White peach, Meyer lemon, flint, crushed white rocks, sea breeze, and shades of dried sage spill from the glass. Lemony acidity lifts the perfected backbone, you actually feel the tension across the tongue. It finishes strong with a mineral note that goes on forever. Enjoy now or over the next 15 years with proper cellaring. 316 cases produced. Highly recommended. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 97 | 100% hand-snipped and fermented in amphora, the 2021 Shea Pinot Noir sports a medium neon ruby core with a silvery rim in the glass. A treat on the nose, starting off with wonderful fruit-forward aromas of crushed red cherries and mountain blueberries, it quickly develops more secondary characteristics of dried violets, melted chocolate, crushed autumn leaves, and shades of iron and dried thyme. Complex and wonderfully structured, it finishes with rounded sweet tannins, immaculate acidity, and a lush, lengthy finish. 78 cases produced. Highly recommended. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | Chardonnay fruit that comes from the south block in Seven Springs and a new block within the Seven Springs Vineyard make up the 2021 Seven Springs Chardonnay from 00 Wines. A neon light lemon core with a silver rim shines in the glass while exploding with perfected notes of fresh Meyer lemon, sliced apple, crunchy pear, chopped hazelnuts, wet white clay, and white flower petals. I adored the dried mountain herbs on the finish. Perfect length and structure meld with the balanced acidity and lengthy finish. 258 cases made. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvee | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | Single vineyard barrel selection from Eola-Amity Hills, the 2021 Richard Hermann Cuvée comes from a high-elevation vineyard and is another stunning wine from the team of 00 Wines. Showcasing a light neon shimmering lemon core with a watery rim, it is explosively fragrant on the nose. Phenomenal aromas of apricot flesh, Bartlet pears, dusty earth, acacia flowers, crushed stone, and shades of white chocolate and sweet cinnamon are all deliciously combined and present in the glass. The finish goes on for minutes with crunchy acidity and a fantastic herbal and mineral finish that sits on the back of the palate. A small production of 77 cases was made. Highly recommended and editor’s choice. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 99 | Old vines planted by Dick Erath in 1968 produce the fruit for the unprecedented 2021 Chehalem Mountain Pinot Noir from 00 Wines. Displaying an eye-catching medium light purple and ruby core with a light pink rim, this wine is otherworldly on the nose and on the palate. Amazing fruit flavors and aromas of Bing cherry, blue plum skin, lemony herbs, chocolate shavings, white pepper, and dried lavender are all present. Perfectly balanced with no rough edges to be found, it keeps you coming back for more, and with each sip, you experience something new in the wine. Tannins are soft and integrated with balanced acidity. It’s perfection on the palate. Just 74 cases were produced, so if you can find a bottle, grab a bottle. Highly recommended and editor’s choice. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | The 2021 Richard Hermann Cuvée Pinot Noir comes from a high-elevation, single vineyard that is farmed organically. Sporting a medium ruby-garnet core with a light neon pink rim in the glass, it’s a pleasure to admire. A more brooding Pinot Noir compared to its siblings, it starts with notes of Christmas spices and forest breeze and then moves to additional flavors and aromas of freshly crushed boysenberry, wild mountain huckleberry, cedary herbs, dried sagebrush, Blood orange pith, purple wildflowers, dusty earth, umami, and tilled wet earth. Another almost perfect Pinot from the team at 00 Wines it finishes with structured sweet tannins and a lengthy and earthy finish. Only 224 cases were made. Highly recommended and editor’s choice. |
Vintage 2020
| Wine Name | Varietal | Publication | Score | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 97 | This emblematic wine is nothing short of extraordinary, with bright, lemony fruit and floral aromas, a bit of spice from the ageing, and a strong undercurrent of saline, savoury notes to add complexity. The wine blends the lieux-dits Le Corton (top of the hill in Aloxe) for power, Languettes (a bit further down the slope) for ripeness, and En Charlemagne for a lemony top note. The result is superb by any measure, with a creamy texture, impressive depth, and an interminable finish. |
| Pernand-Vergelesses, Ile de Vergelesses 1er Cru | Pinot Noir | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 94 | This silky, supple wine boasts a beguiling pomegranate and cherry fruit character with notes of star anise, violets, and a hint of earth. The texture is firm yet approachable, with supple yet persistent tannins, fresh acidity for the vintage, and a lingering finish. The grapes come from fruit purchased from the centre of premier cru Ile des Vergelesses. It is fermented as whole clusters in clay amphorae before ageing in new, lightly toasted casks for a year and another five months in glass globes. This wine will be approachable young but will age effortlessly over the mid-term. |
| Clos de la Roche Grand Cru | Pinot Noir | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 95 | The Clos de la Roche is sourced from a prime parcel in the centre of the vineyard. The generous 2020 vintage has delivered a dizzying wine with abundant plum and blackberry fruit, liquorice, leather, and smoke. The texture of the wine has impressive velvety volume, supple tannins, and an approachable feel that never drops off on the finish. The grapes are fermented as whole berries in amphorae, and the wine ages in new oak for 16 months and then a further five in wine globes. This wine will be drinkable reasonably early and should also age well. |
| Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Jim Gordon | 97 | An especially luscious and creamy bottling from the legendary hillside vineyard. Honey, coconut and pineapple aromas lead to brilliant, layered, lemon zest and jasmine flavors. Intricate and structured but rich as it firms up with acidity on each sip. Drinkable now, but best from 2028. |
Vintage 2019
| Wine Name | Varietal | Publication | Score | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VGW | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 94 | The 2019 Chardonnay VGW is fresh with white flowers, orange peel, and light flint. It has more tension on the palate, with fresh lime, delicate vanillin spice, and lasting floral notes on the back end. True to the vintage, it is a bit more subtle in its personality. although I think this will be an incredible wine as it matures over the next 10 or more years. Drink 2024-2034. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 96 | The aromatics of the 2019 Chardonnay EGW are lifted with a hint of smoky reduction and offer notes of lemon verbena and orchard fruits. The palate is vibrant with fresh pear, green apple, and white flowers. The wine is open and inviting, with mineral earth, and its clean and polished perfume lasts long after the finish. It delivers a great balance between opulence and tension, making for a truly compelling wine. Drink 2024-2036. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 96 | This wine is produced from Wente clone fruit from the Chehalem Mountain Vineyard, vinified in the typical ‘Black Chardonnay’ method of consultant Pierre Milleman. The result is aged 23 months in a single 500 lit Damy cask. The effect is a ripe apple fruit with just a suggestion of honey and floral notes accented with smoke, spice, and minerals, and a texture that is creamy and dense but not heavy. There is plenty of acidity here, even in the warm conditions of 2018. Shockingly good. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 96 | The VGR (Very Good Red) from 00 Wine is an extraordinary American Pinot Noir. UC-Davis clone fruit from the Shea Vineyard and the Hyland vineyard is blended together. The bunches are destemmed berry-by-berry and the intact fruit does a carbonic maceration in sealed terracotta amphorae prior to unleashing the full ferment after five days. The result is a profusion of black and blue fruit that retails a remarkable purity and a rich complement of spice and smoke. The texture is fresh and ‘crunchy’, with plenty of grippy tannin and enough extract to bring lovely length to the finish. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Pinot Noir | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 95 | The first vintage from this site, which has south and southwest facing sloped planted to UC Davis clones back in 1968 by Dick Erath. The terroir is geologically related to Ribbon Ridge, and it delivers smoky and super-ripe results on the nose. There is a lovely density of black plummy fruit with an edge of cassis, mineral, and violet perfume. The texture is voluptuously ripe and generous, the finish persistent. Aged over two winters before bottling in the spring. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 96 | The EGW (Extra Good White) is half Eola-Amity Hills Dijon clones and half old vine Wente clone Chardonnay from Chehalem Mountain. The Dijon clones are a barrel selection of the best of the Eola-Amity Hills fruit. The nose shows distinctly more reduction because the thicker skins of Wente clone Chardonnay provide a richer extraction of the phenolics that combine with the oxygen to create the reductive effect. The result is one of lovely intensity, with pronounced aromas of citrus peel, smoke, mineral, and white flowers. The texture is vibrant but not lacking in substance or depth. Truly top-notch Chardonnay. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 98 | Undoubtedly one of the best Chardonnays produced in America today, this is a gripping, textured wine with a richness of extraction offset by striking freshness. Stone fruit and pear flavours are cutting and pure, limned in subtle, savoury smoke and a gorgeously briney streak of minerality. A powerful, stately wine that should improve through this next decade and hold further still. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 98 | The 2019 Chardonnay Kathryn Hermann Cuvée comes from one 500-liter Damy barrel of fruit from the Chehalem Mountain vineyard. “Normally, this fruit would be part of a single-vineyard cuvée, but in 2019 we only found two single vineyards we really liked,” notes proprietor Christopher Hermann. Instead of bottling a Chehalem Mountain Chardonnay, fruit went to this Kathryn Hermann cuvée, and it will be matured a full 24 months. It’s currently still resting in puncheon but is already remarkably complete, with singular aromas of Manuka honey, roasted almonds, saline, white peaches and loads of floral perfume. The palate is exceptionally silky and perfumed with detailed nuances of white flowers and tangerine peel. Its juicy freshness is smoothly integrated, and the array of flavors seems to last forever in the mouth. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 93 | The 2019 Pinot Noir VGR has a medium ruby-purple color and powerful aromas of cranberries, blueberries and tangerine with accents of woodsmoke, tea leaves and dark spices. The medium-bodied palate is pure and defined with bright berries and citrus wrapped in a silky frame, and it finishes with fresh lift and pretty perfume. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 93 | Medium ruby-purple, the 2019 Pinot Noir Shea features classic woodsmoke, tea leaves, earth and savory notions with bright red and black berry fruits. The gently grainy palate explodes with juicy, earth-laced fruits, finishing uplifted and very fresh. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 94 | 94+. The 2019 Chardonnay Richard Hermann Cuvée comes from east-facing, 20-year-old vines in Eola-Amity, planted mostly on Jory soil at 640 feet in elevation. It’s the most coiled of the 00 portfolio, taking ample time to reveal preserved citrus and orange blossoms, hazelnut and dried honey, underpinned by whiffs of chalk. Expansive and silky, its bright, shimmery mineral character maneuvers through ripe orchard fruits, and its energetic flavors linger on the uplifted finish. I suspect this will continue to blossom over the next few years in bottle. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 94 | The 2019 Pinot Noir Hyland has a pale ruby color and singular, spicy aromas of black tea leaves, blackberries and cranberries, opening to more nuance with time in the glass. The palate is pure and taught, its earthy fruits enlivened by bright bursts of freshness that carry pretty tea leaf flavors on the long finish. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 98 | The 2019 Pinot Noir Richard Hermann Cuvée is a stunning wine made with unparalleled attention to detail. The grapes—from an undisclosed location—were 100% hand-snipped from their stems and fermented in amphorae. “Ceramic is not permeable,” proprietors Kathryn and Christopher Hermann explain. “It allows oxygen in and the respiration of alcohol out, resulting in the natural reduction of alcohol by about half a percent.” In addition to amphorae, the Hermanns are incorporating concrete vessels for fermentation. “So we now have amphorae, concrete tank and four-ton barrels from Marc Grenier in Burgundy.” This Richard Hermann Cuvée features stunning aromatics that unwind slowly: cranberry, pomegranate and blueberry blossom to pipe tobacco, charcuterie, blood orange and rooibos tea leaves. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with layered yet detailed fruit and a very long, ethereal finish. It deserves 3-5 years in bottle to unwind its youthfully latent layers. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | The 2019 Chardonnay VGW is a dynamic wine with purity and power, focus and generosity. It takes some time in the glass to segue from initial tones of flint and nori to a core of white peach, ginger and tangerine peel. The medium-bodied palate is tense and energetic despite its satiny texture, boasting gently exotic fruit and a touch of grip that drives the very long finish. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 96 | The 2019 Chardonnay EGW, which I last tasted in December of 2021, is transparent, pure and singular, its wafts of allspice and matchstick complemented by tones of grilled peaches, spring honey, pie crust and lemongrass. The medium-bodied palate is quietly intense, with concentrated, exotic fruit. It has focused acidity, a satiny texture and a very long, ethereal finish with fantastic perfume. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 98 | The 2019 Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountain has a singular style, with patinated layers of cranberries, woodsmoke, mushrooms, tea leaves and forest floor. The light-bodied palate offers soaring flavors, irresistible juiciness and a fine grain, managing delicate layering and intensity of flavor. This gorgeous cuvée was also bottled in magnum. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | A full-bodied and powerful red with meat, bark and dried fruit. Roses and white pepper, too. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Unique. Own-rooted vineyards, planted in 1972. Known as the Coury clone. Drink after 2025. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | Extremely aromatic, with intense flint, dried lemon and white peach. Crushed stone, too. Full-bodied with layered and creamy tannins that show super length and depth. Exciting to drink now but will age beautifully. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | Alluring, savory character to the red cherry, rosemary, dried rose and cocoa powder. Medium-to full-bodied with silky tannins. A complex marriage between driving acidity, ground spice and ripe fruit plays out on the palate. Oolong and dried orange peel. Long and structured. Vineyards from Dick Erath plantings in 1968. Best after 2026. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | A lovely, aromatic nose of baked strawberry, violet, red cherry and sweet herbs. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Spacious on the palate, with an array of juicy red fruit and rose petals. Fine tannins are melted into the fruit and provide structure and length. Lovely. Amphora and barrel-aged. Best after 2024. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 99 | Lots of black cherry and black chocolate with flowers. Pumice, too. Incredibly aromatic. Full-bodied with velvety tannins that spread across the palate. It goes deep and extremely long. Supple, with great purity of fruit and a medium, round-textured finish. It’s all about authenticity and mouth-feel. Balanced wine. Fermented in amphora and barrel-aged. Drink or hold. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | A perfumed nose of baked lemons, poached pears, grated nutmeg and fresh flowers. Medium-bodied with silky tannins and texture. Soft and supple with lovely length. Bright and fresh. Drink or hold. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 93 | A juicy red with aromas of plums and strawberries with some flowers. Full to medium body with medium, round tannins and a juicy finish. Orange-peel undertones at the end. Amphora. Drink or hold. |
| Clos de la Roche | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 98 | Powerful, toned and muscular with a full body and a very long finish. Tile and crushed stone. Blackberries and red fruit. It’s so intense with fine tannins. Compact and focused. Racy, going on for minutes. Try after 2026, when the tannins will have softened. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | A lovely nose of white-tea spice, peppermint and sliced grapefruit. Medium-bodied, gentle and persistent. Intense flavors of lavender, lemon curd and cardamom. Flint undertones. Well structured and balanced. Rich. Drink or hold. |
| Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | Crushed-stone, lemon-tart and dried-peach aromas follow through to a full yet tight and polished body with very fine phenolics that run down the center of the palate. Electric finish. Drink or hold. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 98 | Gunpowder highlights to the subtle dried-apple and lemon-curd character. Dried apricot and acacia, too. Medium-to full-bodied with tight and polished phenolics that drive through the center-palate, showing great intensity and length. So subtle. Really sophisticated. Drink or hold. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 94 | The VGR Pinot Noir from 00 Wines is a fantastic entry into their 2019 lineup. This begins to impress by showing off a wonderful red fruit profile joined by a lovely earthy character. It also shows nuances of fresh sage, mint, citrus all connecting beautifully. The palate is elegant and extremely inviting, delivering delicious flavors of red berries, red currants, and dried herbal undertones which all continue to flow through beautifully into the long finish. The 2019 is already sensational, but it will also benefit from a few years of cellaring and go on to drink marvelously for well for over a decade. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 95 | The 2019 EGW Chardonnay from 00 Wines is another stellar offering from 00 Wines. This stunning wine instantly bursts open with aromas of lemon peel, crushed stone, peach, gun flint, tangerine, mint, and crushed seashell jump from the glass. On the palate there are delicious flavors of citrus, crushed almond, honeysuckle and orchard fruits. The palate dislpays a gorgeous medium to full body with lots of minerality and salinity, followed by a creamy texture which is underlined by lovely acidity on the finish. Overall, this is an absolutly striking Chardonnay that is amazing today and continue to drink beautifully for over a decade. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 95 | 00 Wines VGW Chardonnay is absolutely fantastic in this vintage. This is a brilliant wine that begins to impress right away with its lovely fresh aromatics of Meyer lemon curd, tangerine, white nectarine, honeycomb, golden apple, crushed stones and white flowers all developing beautifully in the glass. On the palate this possesses remarkable overall balance, structure and definition, with concentrated flavors that continue throughout. This goes on to display outstanding precision and energy all they way through the finish. Simply put, the 2019 is a fantastic showing, which is raidiant today and should also age tremendously well for many years. Drink it over the next decade. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 96 | The Pinot Noir Hyland Vineyard is an absolute beauty in 2019. It offers sublime aromatics of ripe strawberries, cranberries, pomegranate and blackberries that sit along-side a mélange of fresh flowers, lavender, spices, earthy nuances . This is a remarkably finessed wine which exudes sheer class. It goes on to display a striking freshness that backs the ultra silky texture and bright, ripe fruits and mouthwatering juiciness. The finish is persice and long and with incredible lingering flavors. A total beauty that will drink exceptionally well over the next 15 plus years. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 96 | The Chehalem Mountain Pinot from 00 Wines begins with a beautiful and complex bouquet. Taking its time to unravel its dazzling aromatics of cranberries and raspberries that are woven together with fragrant earth, fresh violets, woodsmoke, leather, tree bark and Ethiopian coffee. This possesses a gorgeous medium weight, silky texture that glides effortlesslycacross the palate. It contineus to impress with wonderful focus and percision, along with lovely seamless quality that leads into the very long, very nuanced finish. Showing a stunning sense of freshness and overall balance, this has the makings of a truly great Pinot Noir. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 97 | The 2019 Kathryn Herman Cuvée is once again an absolutely thrilling wine from 00. This stunning Chardonnay slowly unwinds to release its seductive and incredibly complex aromas of fresh Meyer Lemon curd, dried apples, followed by sliced apricots, spring flowers, gunflint, honeysuckle, toast, and wet stones. Medium to full-bodied, this explodes with a multitude of flavors ranging from citrus to honeycomb to tropical fruits, that are framed by juicy acidity and silky texture. The finish is long, precise, and packed with flavor, leaving behind a lasting impression. This is a truly magical Chardonnay that is drinking remarkably well on release and can be cellared for 15 years or more. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | The 2019 Pinot Noir, Richard Hermann Cuvée is an absolute knockout. This starts off with inviting aromas of wild strawberries, red cherries, pomegranate, violets, and spices. With some extended air contact this adds in even more complexity with lavender, cherry pipe tobacco, mint, dried spices, white pepper and leather notes all taking shape. The palate is bright, focused and pure, with gorgeous ripe black cherries and red currant fruit, combined with with earthy mineral flavors, orange peel and spices. The finish is very long and elegant with vibrant acidity leaving a lasting impression. This is beautifully crafted Pinot Noir that is utterly striking in its youth, but ultimately will become even more compelling as it thrives in the cellar for the next two decades and beyond. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 97 | The Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir is another beauty from 00 Wines in 2019. It has a gorgeous ruby color and offers a stunning bouquet of floral scents with red roses over a fresh core of wild raspberries, strawberries, sweet currants, rhubarb, pomegranate and forest floor. On the palate this is medium-bodied with precise flavors of red berries, spices and earthy notes all emerging from its core. The finish is long, supple and mouthwatering, with a lovely touch of acidity and grippy tannins framing the delicious red berry and sweet spice flavors. This is an absolutely stunning Pinot Noir that should continue to evolve beautifully over the next decade and offer a drinking window that spans well beyond that. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 99 | The ‘Freya Hermann Cuvée’ Chardonnay is a homage to 00 Wines founder Chris Hermann’s mother, Freya. It is an extremely small production that is sourced from a single high-elevation vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills and spent 23 months in 100% 1 year old Damy French oak 500L barrel. This thrilling Chardonnay slowly unwinds to release a stunning array of aromas that emerge beautifully from this glass, led by ripe white peach, asian pear, lemon oil, toasted hazelnut, flint and crushed stones, which are impossible to resist. The palate is simply striking, beautifully balanced, precise and focused, with layers of delicious fresh orchard fruit flavors that are framed by gorgeous minerality resonating throughout. This is an utterly captivating bottle of Chardonnay that is nothing short of mesmerizing today, but should also continue to evolve beautifully over the course of the next decade. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | The Richard Hermann Cuvée is absolutely magical in 2019. This thrilling Chardonnay opens with a complex aromatic display of ripe Meyer lemon, tangerine, green apple and key lime curd, along with nuances of honey, spring flowers, toasted brioche, flint and hits of fresh herbs that all take shape. On the palate this possesses a stunning texture with laser-like focus. It goes on to display incredibelt overll balance, with fantastic acidity leading into a beautiful tight, focused finish that explodes with flavors of citrus, orchard fruits and fresh minerals. This absolutely stunning Chardonnay is layered, complex and simply brilliant. Simply put, this is a world class Chardonnay that will easily rival the finest examples of Chardonnay in the world. |
Vintage 2018
| Wine Name | Varietal | Publication | Score | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VGW | Chardonnay | Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick | 95 | The 2018 Chardonnay VGW is pure and sunny with pineapple, wet rock, pear, and delicate oak spice. The palate is ripe and long, with fresh peach, orange blossom, and warming spice. This is an exceptional and layered wine with great purity to drink over the next 10-15 years. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 95 | The VGW (Very Good White) is crafted from Dijon clone Chardonnay from the Eola-Amity Hills. The fruit was picked at 22 deg. Brix, despite advice to let it hang. The decision was wise – the resulting wine is balanced and elegant. Despite a pronounced reductive edge from the ‘Black Chardonnay’ technique of consultant Pierre Milleman, the wine is expressive and deep. Initially, the wine was a bit closed, but aromas of ripe pear, acacia flower, candle wax, and hay develop with time. The texture is rich and broad, with a depth that suggests that it will age for decades. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | 95+. The 2018 Chardonnay Freya Hermann Cuvée is a barrel selection aged around 23 months in a single Damy puncheon. It is a touch youthfully closed, taking time to reveal floral perfume and yellow peaches with underlying exotic spices and herbs. The medium-bodied palate surprises with its explosive, concentrated flavors, silky, textural and fresh with a very long, uplifted, flinty finish. Only 50 cases were made. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | 95+. The 2018 Chardonnay Kathryn Hermann Cuvée is a barrel selection aged about 23 months in a single Damy puncheon. The nose is intoxicating with its slowly blossoming aromas of guava, honeycomb, roasted almonds and loads of floral perfume laced with flint and exotic spices. The palate is medium-bodied, rounded, broad, silky and seamlessly fresh with slowly opening, detailed flavor layers that extend through the very long, energetic finish. It’s a beautifully expressive wine that offers savory, mineral-laced fruits with a frame that will carry it several years in bottle. 50 cases were made. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 97 | The 2018 Chardonnay VGW is generous and exotic. The nose is bursting with ripe peach, honeycomb, pie crust, jasmine and gingery touches. The medium-bodied palate offers alluring, perfumed fruit in a silky frame, with focused acidity to balance, and a touch of textural grip drives the long, savory finish. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | The 2018 Pinot Noir Hyland comes from own-rooted Coury clone vines planted in 1972. Each berry is hand-snipped from its stem, enough to fill one 500-liter terra cotta amphora. Medium ruby-purple, it is deeply scented of smoked meats, dried cranberries and rhubarb with accents of dried tangerine peel, aniseed and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate is fully fruited but not lacking in support, framed seamlessly by firm, ripe tannins and bright freshness. It’s layered, broody and deep and finishes very long and loaded with flavor. I love this combination of unabashedly New World fruit with a firmer frame, and this should age very well in bottle. 50 cases were made. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 97 | The 2018 Pinot Noir Richard Hermann Cuvée is a stunning wine made with unparalleled attention to detail. The grapes—from an undisclosed location—were 100% hand-snipped from their stems and fermented in amphorae. “Ceramic is not permeable,” proprietors Kathryn and Christopher Hermann explain. “It allows oxygen in and the respiration of alcohol out, resulting in the natural reduction of alcohol by about half a percent.” In addition to amphorae, the Hermanns are incorporating concrete vessels for fermentation. “So we now have amphorae, concrete tank and four-ton barrels from Marc Grenier in Burgundy.” This 2018 Richard Hermann Cuvée has very detailed, layered aromatics: cranberry sauce, blueberries and pomegranate blossom to foresty accents of underbrush and spicy streaks reminiscent of amaro. The palate is light-bodied, chalky and fresh, with surprising concentration of spicy fruit and a long, ethereal finish. Offer it a few more years in bottle to unwind. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 94 | 94+. The 2018 Chardonnay Chehalem Mountain takes time to open on the nose. It’s worth the wait, unfolding to gorgeous aromas of spring honey, hazelnuts, flint, pastry and a rich core of quince paste and floral perfume. Medium-bodied, the palate is incredibly silky, its broad, rich character refreshed by bright acidity, finishing elegantly and flavorful. This is a savory, mineral-driven Chardonnay that has the structure and flesh to give plenty more with bottle time. 54 cases were made. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | 95+. The 2018 Chardonnay Richard Hermann Cuvée opens with appealing touches of candle smoke and gunflint with a core of toasty red apples, hay and beeswax. The silky, medium-bodied palate explodes with toasty, mineral-laced flavors lifted by bright acidity, and it finishes very long and textural. It’s a touch youthfully closed and has more to offer with another 2-3 years in bottle. Only 23 cases were made. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 97 | The 2018 Chardonnay EGW is intense, layered and singular. Scents of peach and apricot are accented with touches of flint, honeycomb and almonds. The medium-bodied palate is bursting with concentrated yet nuanced flavors. It has a luxurious, satiny texture, plenty of mouthwatering acidity and a very long, pleasantly flinty finish. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 93 | The 2018 Pinot Noir Shea is made from hand-destemmed grapes fermented in a 500-liter terra cotta amphora. Medium ruby-purple in color, it opens slowly on the nose to wild red and black berries with broody touches of earth, tar and aniseed. The medium-bodied palate offers intense, seamlessly framed earth-laced fruits, and it finishes long and nuanced. There’s more to come but this is youthfully shy, so give it another couple years bottle. 137 cases were made. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 93 | The 2018 Pinot Noir VGR, or “Very Good Wine,” was fermented in a 500-liter terra cotta amphora and is a blend of fruit from Eola-Amity Hills and the Hyland vineyard in McMinnville. It has a medium ruby-purple color and explodes on the nose with perfectly ripe boysenberries, rhubarb, earth and violets with appealing accents of blood orange. The palate is medium-bodied and finely structured with grainy tannins and bright juiciness supporting the ripe fruits, and it finishes long. 199 cases were made. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | This has a very fresh, smoothly integrated impression on the nose with gently spicy lemons and sliced pears, as well as a hint of fresh bread dough. The palate has a very fine, round and fresh stance with vibrant lemons and white peaches, supported by attractively fresh acidity that carries impressively fresh, pear and white-melon flavor and some lightly grippy phenolic cut at the gently nutty finish. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | They set a high bar for pinot of substance, complexity and purity. The pristine aromas of red cherries and ripe strawberries are laced with quite fragrant oak spice and intense blueberry,as well as raspberry notes. The palate is powerful, yet delivered with elegant precision. Unwaveringly seamless finish, too. I like this a lot. Drink or hold. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 98 | Striking aromas of sliced nectarine and white peach with flinty and spicy elements. Mouthwatering. The palate is impressively rich and pithy with good extract, fresh acidity and a gently creamy thread of honey, as well as ripe peach and nectarine. Holds long and freshens to such exquisite purity of fruit at the finish. Drink or hold. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 95 | Very fresh and spicy red and blue-fruit aromas on the nose here. Toasted cloves and hints of violets, too. The palate has a resoundingly concentrated core of ripe blueberries and cherries. This is so composed and delvers such intense, fresh impact. Delightful pinot. Drink or hold. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | Beautifully vivid and pure lemon and grapefruit aromas here with a fine, flinty edge, together with sliced lime, wet stones and subtle hazelnut. The palate is striking for the concentration and fleshy build, as well as the way it maintains focus and holds the finish. A great chardonnay, every way you look at it. Drink or hold. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 94 | This is such a complete and convincing expression of Willamette Valley pinot with abundant red-cherry and berry aromas, laced with spice and herb tones. The palate is so fleshy and well ripened, delivering vibrant and quite intense cherry flavors with a fine tannin texture and a sense of resounding completeness. Drink or hold. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 93 | Super fresh and pure sliced pear and nashi here with light mineral tones and a gently savory edge that sits back in the feed. The palate is impressively composed and delivers ripe-peach and sweet-pear flavors, as well as hazelnut praline, papaya and tangelo. Drink now. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 98 | They set a high bar for pinot of substance, complexity and purity. The pristine aromas of red cherries and ripe strawberries are laced with quite fragrant oak spice and intense blueberry,as well as raspberry notes. The palate is powerful, yet delivered with elegant precision. Unwaveringly seamless finish, too. I like this a lot. Drink or hold. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 97 | This shows a very complete and complex style with a spectrum of very pure yellow citrus fruit to peach and pastry, as well as more savory, stony notes. The palate has convincing concentration and a fleshy build that carries ripe peachy flavors, as well as citrus. The oak is so well integrated. Drink over the next six years. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 96 | All violets and blueberries on the nose with some gingery spice, too. This has a complex and soulful nose with foresty notes also in the mix. More cryptic. Complexity is there. The palate has impressive structure and drive with an assertive, linear build of tannin that carries red-cherry and plum flavors. This needs a year or two. Try from 2024. |
| Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 97 | The 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is a simply brilliant wine from 00 Wines. This impresses with its striking aromatics of Asian pear, honeycrisp apple and lemon oil, which are woven together with honeysuckle, flint, hazelnuts and crushed stone nuances that all take shape beautifully in the glass. On the palate this possesses remarkable overall balance and focus, as well as a richly textured mouthfeel which is framed by gorgeous acidity and minerality. The combination of fruit and minerality is stunning, as it all comes together beautifully on the long, precise finish. This magical wine should go on to evolve gracefully for years to come, however it is already quite expressive today. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 94 | The 2018 ‘VGR’ Pinot Noir is an exceptional showing from 00 Wines. Elegant and refined, this opens up with gorgeous pretty aromatics of red berries and cherries, followed by dried spices, wet stones and lovely floral undertones all taking shape. This continues to impress on the palate with its overall balance and precision. The purity is striking, as it delivers beautiful red fruits and spices that are underlined by lovely minerality and acidity that frames the juicy finish. This is a simply incredible showing today and will surely continue to develop complexity over the next decade and beyond. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 94 | The 2018 ‘VGW’ is a fabulous entry into the brilliant Chardonnay’s from 00 in this vintage. This fantastic Chardonnay immediately draws you in with stunning aromatics of lemon curd, Asian pear, lime zest, flinty minerals, crushed stones and vanilla blossoms all taking shape in the glass. On the palate this is equally impressive, as it possesses a wonderful textural richness, which is beautifully cut with lovely underlying acidity and lovely minerality that balances it all out. Displaying striking purity and focus, this continues to thoroughly impress as it comes to an end with a gorgeous finish marked by citrus and stoney minerals. Overall, this is a beautiful bottle of Chardonnay from 00 that should continue to drink beautifully over the next decade. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 95 | The 2018 ‘EGW’ is another sensational showing in this vintage from 00 Wines. This absolutely gorgeous Chardonnay begins to impress with bright aromatics of white pear, lemon blossoms, flint, saline minerals and a touch of toasted hazelnut that all burst from the glass. The mouthfeel is simply stunning, displaying beautiful balance, with wonderful acidity and revealing an enticing saline mineral streak. This continues to impress as flavors of lemon oil and orchard fruit are framed by the lovely minerality which expands through the palate with wonderful intensity and remarkable purity. While this is nothing short of absolutely stunning today, it should go on to offer enjoyment for well over a decade. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 96 | The 2018 Shea Vineyard Pinot is all about elegance and refinement. It possesses beautiful aromas of raspberries, sweet cranberries and pomegranate laced with forest floor, pulverized stones, potpourri and orange zest that are simply intoxicating. The palate is beautifully balanced, refined and vibrant. It is precisely structured, with fine silky tannins that give way to red berries and blood orange and lovely minerality which connects everything together on the long, graceful finish. While this is already stunning in its youth, it will only become more compelling as it evolves over the next decade and beyond. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 96 | The 2018 Chehalem Mountain Chardonnay is another brilliant release from 00 Wines in this vintage. As this slowly begins to unwind in the glass it releases stunning aromas of sliced pear, white peaches, lemon oil, salted almond, crushed stones and a dusting of vanilla blossoms that all take shape. On the palate this is simply gorgeous, as it displays a beautiful texture, with the perfect balance of fruit, acidity and minerality that persists through the gorgeous finish, which is framed by a wonderful saline mineral character. This is without question one of the finest examples of Chardonnay from the region, it has a classic Chassagne-like character, and will rival the best bottles of Chardonnay from anywhere in the world. This spent 8 months in 100% 2 year old Damy French oak barrels. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 96 | The 2018 Hyland Vineyard Pinot Noir is an absolutely magnificent wine from 00 Wines in this vintage. It begins with gorgeous aromatics of raspberries, cranberries and strawberries which are joined by fresh florals, dried spices, crushed gravel and smoke all take shape. The palate is refined and elegant, with fine tannins that frame the vibrant core of sour cherries and streaks of mineral. Balanced, precise and focused, this fascinating red displays excellent poise through the refined finish. This is a truly exceptional Pinot Noir that will have a tremendous future ahead, however patience will be required, as it will likely need at least a few more years of bottle age before it hits its stride. |
| Kathryn Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | The 2018 ‘Kathryn Hermann Cuvée’ Chardonnay is simply brilliant. It begins with dazzling aromas of ripe white peach, Asian pear, lychee, key-lime pie, Meyer lemon, vanilla blossoms and toasted hazelnut that all come together to form the seductive nose. The mouthfeel is exceptional, displaying a gorgeous creamy texture with remarkable precision and striking balance, with an incredible combination of acidity and minerality. This continues to impress with its mouth watering flavors of citrus, orchard fruits, saline and wet stones that float effortlessly across the palate into the succulent finish. The 2018 is an utterly fascinating wine that is beautiful today and should continue to deliver years of enjoyment ahead. This is an absolutely thrilling bottle of Chardonnay. The wine spent 23 months in 100% new Chassin French oak 500L barrel. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | The 2018 ‘Richard Hermann Cuvée’ Chardonnay is absolutely stunning. It immediately impresses with its seductive aromas of flint and smoke which lead the way to ripe asian pear, white nectarine, lemon oil, wet stones, hazelnut, white blossoms and touch of honey that all come together beautifully. On the palate this is just as impressive, showing remarkable balance and precision, along with a gorgeous layered texture and mouthfeel. It goes on to display striking purity and freshness through the long mineral driven finish. This is an absolute knockout, and while it is already showing beautiful, it should also go on to drink brilliantly for years to come. The wine was aged 12 months in 100% new Chassin French oak 500L barrel, 6 months in stainless steel on the fine lees. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 97 | The 2018 Richard Hermann Cuvée Pinot Noir is simply exceptional. The Pinot Noir comes from a high elevation single vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA and was 100% fermented in 500L terra cotta amphorae and prior to being aged 18 months in 45% new French Damy oak barrels. The wine itself is striking, offering attractive aromas of black raspberries, wild red berries and pomegranate, which are woven together with muddled rose petals, sweet spices, orange zest and hints of forest floor that all develop beautifully in the glass. On the palate this is a thing of beauty, fine-tuned and well-structured with gorgeous silky tannins making for an absolutely lovely mouthfeel through the finish. Elegant and refined, this has the potential to age for decades. |
Vintage 2017
| Wine Name | Varietal | Publication | Score | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VGW | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 93 | This provocative wine is produced from grapes sourced from a variety of vineyards, most in Eola-Amity Hills, using the oxidative ‘Black Chardonnay’ method: foot-treading, extended skin contact and no SO2 for the must. The results are delicious: the lush, ripe fruit comes through clear as a bell. The texture is dense and compact but not heavy, and lingers impressively on the finish. |
| Bunker Hill | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 92 | 92+. The 2017 Chardonnay Bunker Hill begins with crushed shell, lemon peel and crème fraîche aromas with a core of fresh apple and quince fruit and accents of bergamot, honey, hay and almonds. The medium-bodied palate balances mineral character and tensile energy with savory flesh, finishing long and nuanced. This will unwind with another year or two in bottle. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 94 | Pale ruby-purple, the 2017 Pinot Noir VGR has an incredibly intense, layered nose of cranberry sauce, warm blackberries and marionberries with touches of rose petals, tangerine, autumn leaves, fragrant earth, dust, warm tobacco leaf, sweet spices and saline. It’s light to medium-bodied and floods the mouth with earth-accented, sweet berry fruits, soft and finely grainy with a long, lifted finish. This is so lovely! |
| Eola Springs | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | The 2017 Chardonnay Eola Springs comes from vines planted in 1984. It has a singular, incredibly layered nose of orange oil, jasmine, dried chamomile and hay, honeyed apples, pie crust, candied hazelnuts, grilled peaches, sweet spices, autumn leaves and mushroom tart. In the mouth, it’s medium-bodied and über silky, spindle-like in its ability to run the gamut from precise stony character to open, fleshy, honeyed fruits and back again, with laser-like focus and a very long, layered finish. This is gorgeous! |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 96 | The 2017 Chardonnay Chehalem Mountain is a stunning wine. The nose is open and inviting, offering aromas of quince paste, apple pie, allspice, grilled peaches and touches of clotted cream with accents of honey-drizzled almonds, jasmine and stone. It’s medium-bodied with an amazingly silky texture, fantastic intensity and savoriness opposed by juicy acidity, and it has a very long, layered and energetic finish. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 97 | The 2017 Pinot Noir Richard Hermann Cuvée is soul-crushingly good. The nose is incredibly layered: black cherries and multi-berry preserves at the core are accented with sweet tobacco leaf, cinnamon stick, tangerine peel, roses, moss and singular fir scents. The medium-bodied palate is ultra intense, layered and silky with explosive juiciness that compels you to take another sip, and the finish is long and layered. Wow! |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | The 2017 Chardonnay Richard Hermann Cuvée has intense, layered aromas of quince paste, apple pie, toast, oyster shell, white blossoms, honeyed almonds, saline and baked peaches with a classy framing of allspice and hints of mushroom tart and tree bark. The medium-bodied palate is incredibly intense and silky, with tangy opposing acidity and a very long, layered, tensile finish. This is so good! |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | The 2017 Pinot Noir Shea is very layered and nuanced on the nose: a core of spiced cranberry sauce and baked blackberries are accented with high-toned dried roses and violets, cinnamon stick, orange oil, blueberries, fragrant earth and amaro scents. The medium-bodied palate features ripe berry fruits laced with a pleasant amaro-like bitterness, wrapped in a silky, juicy frame and finishing long and layered. Yes! |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 93 | The 2017 Chardonnay Seven Springs is scented of honey, toast, orange blossoms, dried hay, black tea leaves and chamomile with notions of grilled peaches, pie crust, sweet spice, lemon curd and toasted hazelnuts. It’s also lush, open and inviting without losing its minerally core. It’s medium-bodied, silky, savory and intense with lightly tangy acidity and a long, toasty finish. |
| Open Claim | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 92 | The 2017 Chardonnay Open Claim features aromas of orange oil, crushed shell and lemon peel to begin, with accents of jasmine, tree bark, mushroom, crème fraîche, honey and nuts with a core of poached pears and apples. The medium-bodied palate is tensile with toasty fruits and that signature 00 silkiness, finishing long and textured. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 94 | The 2017 Chardonnay VGW features scents of grilled peaches, honeycomb and elderflower, with savory undertones of mushroom powder and flint. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated, satiny and expansive, with focused acidity to match, and it has a long, quietly intense finish with lingering flinty tones. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 95 | Pale ruby-purple, the 2017 Pinot Noir Hyland has a core of red currants, red berries and blackberries with dried leaves, pipe tobacco, scorched earth, tar and cured meat aromas plus accents of blood orange, potpourri, tobacco and sweet spices. Medium-bodied, silky and intense, it offers great layering of spice, amaro, earth and berry fruits with addicting freshness and a long, nuanced finish. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 96 | The 2017 Chardonnay EGW is savory and powerful this vintage. Scents of peach and quince paste are accented by tones of mushroom, flint, dried acacia and roasted almonds. The medium-bodied palate features generous, concentrated fruit. Its satiny, mouth-coating texture is refreshed by energetic acidity, and it has a very long, flavorful finish loaded with spicy accents. |
| Hyland | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 92 | This is the first vintage of a Hyland vineyard Chardonnay from 00 Wines. The 2017 Chardonnay Hyland is scented of oyster shell, Meyer lemon peel, crème fraîche, bitter walnut, fresh-baked bread and acacia with poached pears at the core. The light to medium-bodied palate is precise and minerally with a silky texture and tangy acidity, finishing long on a honeyed note. This will benefit from another year or two in bottle. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 95 | The 2017 Seven Springs Chardonnay from 00 wines is simply brilliant. This spent 17 months 20% new French oak barrels and it instantly begins with stunning aromtics of lemon oil, lime blossoms, white peaches and toasted cocoanut which combine with wonderful mineral characteristics of flint, crushed stones and saline nuances that all develop beautifully in the glass. On the palate this is just as impressive, displaying incredible focus and balance with a gorgeous texture and fabulous core of ripe fruit and mineral that persists through the striking finish. Overall this is an absolutely thrilling bottle of Chardonnay that should not be missed. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 96 | The 2017 VGW Chardomnay is another fantastic offering from 00 Wines. It begins with intoxicating aromas of apple, poached pear, gun flint, crème brulee, vanilla blossom, white flowers, and white peach that all burst from the glass. This is beautifully balanced, with a rich and creamy texture framed by gorgeous acidity that provides wonderful freshness through the finish. This is drinking tremendous on release and will continue to flourish over the course of the next decade. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 92 | Translucent in color, the 2017 ‘VGR’ shows off beautiful aromatics of kumquat rind, guava, wild strawberry and shades of thyme that all combine marvelously on the nose. The palate shows a nice viscosity and texture, as bright red fruits march alongside citrus zest and earthy undertones. Enjoy this beautiful bottling over the next decade or more. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 98 | This the 2017 EGW is a gorgeous expression of Chardonnay which displays striking aromas of lemon peel, ripe pear, crushed stones, lime zest, flint and sea spray nuances that all come together beautifully. The palate is laser focused, offering cool-toned orchard fruits, crushed rocks and citrus notes with secondary layers of lemon curd and a notable stony character. It possesses fantastic energy and precision through the impressively long finish. Even in its youth, the EGW is utterly fascinating, and is amongst one of the most compelling Chardonnays being made in all of Oregon. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Vinous, Josh Raynolds | 95 | Pale yellow-gold. Highly expressive, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh melon, pear, tangerine and succulent flowers, along with saffron, vanilla and floral nuances that build in the glass. Shows impressive depth as well as liveliness on the palate, offering mineral-accented Meyer lemon, nectarine, Anjou pear and honeydew flavors that pick up a spicy accent on the back half. Emphatically repeats the pear and spice notes on the impressively long, subtly sweet finish, which delivers powerful thrust and a touch of smoky lees. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Vinous, Josh Raynolds | 94 | Limpid straw-gold. Vibrant, mineral- and spice-accented aromas of peach nectar, Anjou pear and Meyer lemon carry a bright floral overtone. Juicy and densely packed, displaying a suave interplay of richness and vivacity to the citrus and orchard fruit, honeysuckle, buttered toast and saffron flavors. Picks up smoky lees and vanilla nuances with air and shows excellent clarity and solid thrust on a strikingly long, penetrating finish that echoes the mineral note and betrays no rough edges. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | Vinous, Josh Raynolds | 96 | Light, green-tinged yellow. A hugely perfumed bouquet evokes fresh pear, peach nectar, Meyer lemon, iodine and buttered toast, and a smoky mineral nuance builds in the glass. Sappy, seamless and penetrating on the palate, offering concentrated orchard and pit fruit, floral and toasted nut flavors that show superb clarity and are braced by dusty mineral and bitter orange pith flourishes. Clings with superb tenacity on the mineral-driven finish, leaving toasty lees, sweet butter and ripe citrus fruit notes behind. |
| Hyland | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Nick Stock | 95 | This has attractive freshness with aromas of lemons, brulée custard and fresh, cedary wood, leading to a very fresh and lithe palate that has clarity of fruit and good textural grip and cut at the finish. Long and unwaveringly dry chardonnay. Drink or hold. |
| Hyland | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, Nick Stock | 95 | This has such complex spice, earth, charcuterie, cola and vibrant red cherries with a subtly leafy and earthy edge. Impressive. The palate carries a bold array of rich red and dark cherries with a composed, fresh and neatly defined, athletic feel. Holds the finish so well. Drink or hold. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, Nick Stock | 95 | A single plot that offers a very intense, earthy and savory-edged style with autumnal dried berries and leaves, as well as subtle spice on the nose. The palate has a super succulent feel with fine-grained tannins, delivering such power and detail. So long and full of life, this has a sanguine edge that delivers intensity and focus on the finish. Drink across the next decade. |
| Seven Springs | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Nick Stock | 97 | A super fine nose, this is strikingly pure chardonnay with lemon cream, grapefruit, flint and wet stones on offer with a mouthwateringly intense palate that offers a phenomenally powerful and yet very tightly focused palate that delivers a succulent impression. Grapefruit pervades the rich, suave and commanding finish. Exceptional length and finesse. Drink over the next six to eight years. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, Nick Stock | 95 | Very Good Red is the acronym here. This is a blend of parcels, fermented as hand-snipped, single berries in 500-liter amphorae. The intrinsically fragrant and gently tarry red cherries deliver a complex, youthful impression with assertively spicy oak. The palate has a wildly detailed, fresh and juicy array of rich, dark cherries and berries with such long and succulent, fine tannins. Really exceptional expression of Willamette pinot. Drink across the next decade. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Nick Stock | 97 | This offers ripe-pineapple and lime-juice aromas, as well as white peaches and wet stones, in a very expressive mode. The palate has a very smooth core of mellow, cashew nuts and white peaches with some very assertive and dense, fleshy-peach and praline notes to close. Drink or hold. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, Nick Stock | 93 | Impressive, rich and pure red cherries with nicely paced, spicy complexity in a youthful and fresh mode. The palate has succulent, juicy and vibrant, acidity-driven red cherries, delivered with neatly curated tannins. Long finish. Good potential here. Drink or hold. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Nick Stock | 97 | A very complex and powerful chardonnay with ripe-nectarine, lemon and grapefruit aromas, laced with cool, stony notes, as well as flint and attractively restrained oak. The palate has mouthwatering, intense fruit with such attractively concentrated, pithy-grapefruit and white-peach flavors with beautifully wound flesh that pervades the crisp, long and gently toasty finish. Really superb chardonnay. Drink or hold. |
| Freya Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Nick Stock | 98 | Wild, reductive, flinty aromas here, really hitting the sweet spot of great, modern chardonnay winemaking. There’s toasty oak here, too, supported by assertively fresh, lively lemons and green peaches. The palate rolls out a layered and gently meaty assembly of succulently fresh lemons and peaches. The savory funk will polarize here. Drink or hold, but definitely decant. |
| Open Claim | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Nick Stock | 97 | This has a very rich and complex nose with flinty and chalky, savory notes, floated on fresh lemons and grapefruit. The palate has a very fresh and compact feel. Long and elegant, it delivers a twisting, tense and long finish. Drink or hold. |
| Chehalem Mountain | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Nick Stock | 95 | This has a gently stony and flinty thread, through a wealth of ripe-lemon and yellow-grapefruit aromas and some nutty, praline-like notes, too. The palate has a smooth and fluid feel with ripe-peach and spiced custard-cream flavors. Smooth textural glide out the back. Drink now. |
| Richard Hermann Cuvée | Chardonnay | James Suckling, Nick Stock | 94 | A bright, yellow-fruit nose with some gently waxy and dried-flower aromas, leading to a palate that has a succulent, fresh and juicy feel with such impressive depth and drive, as well as a smoothly creamy edge to the supple, long finish. Drink now. |
| Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, William Kelley | 93 | The 2017 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is showing very nicely, unwinding in the glass with aromas of pear, pastry cream, orange oil, frangipane and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied and elegantly textural, it’s charming and delicate, with ripe but lively acids, chalky structuring extract and a tightly wound core. This should develop nicely with a bit of bottle age. |
Vintage 2016
| Wine Name | Varietal | Publication | Score | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VGW | Chardonnay | Decanter, Charles Curtis MW | 95 | The delicious VGW from the winery’s second vintage demonstrates how well the wine ages and how the style has evolved. The aromas are still fresh, lively, and youthful, with grapefruit peel and hawthorn flowers, but there is a more pronounced influence from the oak and the reduction from the winemaking. The texture is still tightly wound and concentrated, and richer, more mature aromas are only beginning to develop. Aged in Francois Freres barrels (20% new), this wine should continue to improve for at least another five years and hold another five beyond that. |
| Bunker Hill | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 94 | The 2016 Chardonnay Bunker Hill was made using what Chris Hermann calls the “black Chardonnay” technique and aged in 100% new Damy puncheons. It opens with notes of struck match and flint over a core of honeycomb, acacia blossom and baked yellow apple with notes of sautéed mushroom, saline, Greek yogurt and petrichor—lots of savory and earthy layers here. Medium-bodied with a slightly creamy texture, it gives up flavors of honey-drizzled apples, sliced almonds and white blossoms accented by salty citrus tang, with a compelling phenolic texture on the lively finish. Only 25 cases were made, so you’ll be lucky to find a bottle. |
| EGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 91 | The 2016 Chardonnay EGW (“Extra Good White”) is a barrel selection blend of the top barrels of the vintage. The 2016 is a blend of grapes from the Bunker Hill and Black Walnut vineyards, aged in 50% new Damy puncheons using what Chris Hermann calls the “black Chardonnay” method. It has a bright, open nose of saline, lemon pith, orange blossom and crushed shell with notes of Greek yogurt, honey toast and roasted almonds. Medium-bodied, it’s light on its feet in the mouth, opening to great tangy/citrusy flavors accented by saline and toast, with absolutely mouthwatering acidity and lovely phenolic texture carrying the very lively finish. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 96 | 96+. The 2016 Chardonnay VGW is expressive and reminiscent of the Coche-Dury style with characteristic flintiness overlaying scents of apricot, peaches, mushroom paste, almonds and honey. The palate is surprisingly light on its feet, beginning with quiet, savory intensity before blossoming into expansive, satiny fruit. Despite its power, it has notably vibrant acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. It has a long life ahead in the cellar. |
| Shea | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 96 | Beautifully focused aromas of dark cherries and subtle earth and woody spices, leading to a palate that is immensely complete and seamlessly cast in fine, long tannins. Dark fruit and a deep, tarry thread to the long and unwaveringly pure finish. This is exceptional pinot noir with such polished, fine and silky texture. Drink across the next decade. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | James Suckling, James Suckling | 93 | Salted-caramel aromas with dried apples, limes and some flint, too. Medium body with dried lemon rind and hints of peach. Drink now. |
| VGR | Pinot Noir | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 93 | The 2016 ‘VGR’ Pinot Noir shows wonderful range on the nose from smoky undertones to peat moss and citrus zest as well as bright red fruits that all connect in the glass. The palate is quite earthy and seductive, yielding a wonderfully rich mouthfeel and bright sense of minerality despite the obvious heat of the vintage. Red fruits dance with citrus zest flavors and minerals, with smoky and earthy undertones. While this is seriously good now, this complex Pinot Noir will only get better with time. |
| VGW | Chardonnay | International Wine Report, Jeremy Young | 93 | The 2016 ‘VGW’ by 00 Wines was sourced from the Open Claim and Von Oehsen Vineyards. The heady, powerful aromas are quite gripping with toasty oak that wraps around citrus rind and bright orchard fruits, with smoky and flinty tones that round out this outstanding nose. The palate shows wonderful balance, viscosity and tons of lip-smacking acidity. Meyer lemon cream, starfruit and Pink Lady apple connect with minerals and smoky undertones. This is seriously good in its youth but will evolve well for a decade or more. |
Vintage 2015
| Wine Name | Varietal | Publication | Score | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VGW | Chardonnay | Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks | 94 | The 2015 Chardonnay VGW is the first Chardonnay made by 00 Wines. Proprietors Kathryn and Christopher Hermann recall that 2015 was one of the first really hot summers in Oregon, and grapes were picked very early on August 31st. It’s still youthful on the nose, offering scents of baked apples and quince with undertones of herbs, spice and matchstick. The palate is silky with expansive, savory flavors—hints of mushroom and umami are just beginning to bloom—and focused freshness. It has a long, textural finish and plenty of life ahead in bottle. |
Vintage 2014
| Wine Name | Varietal | Publication | Score | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shea | Pinot Noir | James Suckling, James Suckling | 94 | Lots of fruit here with ripe berry, chocolate and vanilla aromas and flavors. Full and layered with loads of fruit. Juicy and flavorful. Up front. Drink or hold |