00 Wines Meursault 1er Cru Charmes, Cote de Beaune, France 2022

A native of Corvallis, Oregon and first-generation American, Chris Hermann developed an early interest in wine, influenced by family friends involved in the early West Coast wine industry as well as his father’s love of aged Mosel Riesling and White Burgundy. Chris’s dual roles as both a legal advisor to the world’s top wine estates and vintner have positioned him as a pivotal figure in Oregon’s wine landscape, bridging the gap between legal frameworks and winemaking artistry. Chris and Kathryn Hermann share a dedication to handcrafting fine wines from the greatest recognized vineyards for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the world. 

But simply drinking the Willamette Valley’s finest wines wasn’t enough: The duo endeavored to craft their own, so they founded 00 Wines. Each zero represents the cyclical nature of winemaking, the renewal of the land and the Hermanns’ never-ending pursuit of winemaking excellence. Two infinite circles, reflections of each other, just like the winery’s endeavors in both the US and France. Now run entirely by Chris and Kathryn, 00 Wines produces wines from biodynamically and sustainably farmed vineyards in the Willamette Valley, plus small-lot projects from Grand Cru sites in Burgundy and Champagne. In just a few short vintages, they’ve established themselves as a benchmark among sommeliers, collectors, and winemakers alike.

"The 2022 Meursault Charmes ler 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." Vinous 95