00 Wines, 'VGW', Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2023

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% Chardonnay

Origin
Willamette Valley, Oregon

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The wine opens with aromas of lemon zest, white nectarine, and spring blossom, underpinned by wet stone and delicate oak. The palate is poised and textural, striking a balance between crystalline acidity and layered richness. A mineral core anchors the wine from start to finish, delivering both vibrancy and gravitas.

2023 VGW Chardonnay is both an introduction to the 00 Wines style and a benchmark representation of what the Willamette Valley can achieve in a year of remarkable grace and power.

96 Points - International Wine Report
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. 

94 Points - James Suckling
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. 

93 Points - Vinous
The 2023 Chardonnay VGW is herbal upon first pour in an incredibly attractive way, mixing chlorophyll with fresh mint, then stone dust, flint and crushed Granny Smith. Round textures contrast with mineral depth as yellow apple blends with apricot and crunchy minerality adds form. Acidity is cooling in feel yet plays a supporting role in the background. The 2023 tapers off with impressive balance, slightly chewy yet cleansing and fresh.

Product size: 750ml