00 Wines 'VGW' Very Good White Chardonnay 2019
(Willamette Valley, Oregon) - [DM 98] [WA 95] [IWR 95] [JS 95] [JD 94] [WE 93]

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.

Ratings & Reviews:

98 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"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." - AI (Feb 2023)

95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"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." - Erin Brooks (Aug 2023)

95 Points - International Wine Report:
"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." (Jun 2021)

95 Points - James Suckling:
"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." (Apr 2022)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"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." (Aug 2022)

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Double Zero has already established a reputation for spectacular Chardonnays that perfectly express the special qualities of the best Oregon versions. Bright and spicy, balanced and long, this brings together fresh fruit flavors of apple and peach and melon along with a creamy, lightly buttery mouthfeel. Key lime, lemon curd, banana cream pie—such impressions ramble through the mind while sipping this gem." - Paul Gregutt (Mar 2022)