00 Wines, 'VGR', Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2022

Overview of the Wine
Double Zero Wines is a daring journey exploring the potential of cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir by wine industry pioneer Chris Hermann and entrepreneur Kathryn Hermann. 00 Wines was founded in 2015, emerging from a fusion of family heritage and winemaking ambition. The vision was born from Chris Hermann, an attorney specializing in international wine law, and his late father, Dr. Richard Hermann, a distinguished botanist and Douglas Fir geneticist at Oregon State University. Their shared passion for European viticulture and the natural environment of Oregon planted the seeds for something extraordinary.

Within 10 years of pressing their first vintage of Chardonnay, 00 Wines has emerged as a benchmark for the modern cool-climate Chardonnay revolution. Their iconic Willamette Valley blends VGW and EGW are signatures of the House of 00. Each vintage, select single vineyard barrels are selected for individual bottlings, and superlatives of these single vineyard barrels are selected for the rare Hermann Family Cuvée series. 00 Wines seeks to explore terroir driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in its most profound forms.

Winemaker
Chris Hermann

Grape / Blend
100% Pinot Noir

Origin
Willamette Valley, Oregon

Tasting 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, the juice is pressed off into French oak barrels and stays there for 8 months. Only 10% new French oak. Mild growing season in the Willamette Valley a very classic vintage. 

96 Points - International Wine Report
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.

94 Points - James Suckling
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.

93 Points - Wine Advocate
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. Drink 2025-2035 (Feb 2025)

93 Points - John Gilman
The 2022 Pinot Noir “VGR” bottling from OO Wines is a lovely young bottle of pinot. The wine comes in at 13.5 percent octane in this vintage and offers up a beautifully red fruity nose of cherries, red plums, raw cocoa, a lovely foundation of soil, fresh thyme, woodsmoke, a hint of orange peel and a deft framing of new oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and nicely transparent down to its base of soil, with tangy acids, ripe tannins and excellent focus and grip on the long, complex and impeccably balanced finish. This is fine juice in the making! 2032-2075+. (Nov/Dec 2024)

92 Points - Vinous
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. 

Product size: 750ml