00 Wines Richard Hermann Cuvee Pinot Noir 2021 - 1.5 L Magnum -
(Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon) - [JD 100] [IWR 98]

About the winery:

• Chris and Kathy Hermann of 00 Wines (Double Zero) set out to produce the next great American Chardonnay in the Willamette Valley. Using the premier cool climate Chardonnay fruit in the US, and time honored artisanal white Burgundy techniques, 00 Wines has created something rare that is being set in a class alongside the greatest white wines in the world.
• They use the Black Chardonnay method of reducing premature oxidization by exposing whole cluster Chardonnay grapes to oxygen before fermentation. This causes the “must” (grape juice) to turn a dark brown or black color. During fermentation the brown pigment falls out, and what is left has extraordinary depth and texture and is more protected against oxidation in the bottle. This method is being used in Burgundy (producers like Coche-Dury and Roulot) and now in Oregon to protect the wines from premature oxidization, and potential ruination later, as the wines are aged. Using this Burgundian methodology is both daring and inspired!
  
• The red wines are no less interesting and rare. Sourcing fruit from iconic vineyards like Shea and Hyland, the Pinot noirs begin with a painstaking process of hand clipping berries from the cluster as opposed to more traditional destemming. This process leaves the pedicels (the piece of the stem that attaches to the berry) intact and gives fragrance and spice to the resulting wine. Once destemmed, the berries are fermented in small amphora (terra cotta fermenters used in ancient times for winemaking): an uncommon practice that, in tandem with the hand-destemming, creates wines that have fragrance and texture not achievable through contemporary techniques.

Winemaking Notes:

Grape clusters are destemmed by hand at the pedicel, leaving the berry intact. Whole berries are placed in 500L terra cotta amphorae imported from tuscany, where they spontaneously ferment from the inside out with indigenous yeast. after primary fermentation. For this vintage we experimented with whole cluster fermentation in concrete, which is 1/3% of wine. juice is pressed off into french oak barrels, remaining there for 18 months. 14.4% abv.

Vintage Notes:

2021 was a moderate and dry growing season. With full ripeness and very good acidity, 2021 wines in the region ultimately resemble 2018 in concentration and 2014 2017 in size. Drier vintages bless us with reduced disease pressures and generally picture-perfect fruit clusters. This vintage for 00 Wines strikes the perfect balance between body and elegance.

Barrel Program Notes: 60% new French oak

Ratings & Reviews:

100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck: 
"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." (Sep 2023)