2022 00 Wines VGW Chardonnay, Willamette Valley

The 2022 Chardonnay VGW tempts the imagination with an evergreen freshness before adding enriching notes of crushed oyster shell and raw almond. This is energetic and mineral-intense, with a stimulating core of zesty acidity and saline-tinged green apple fruit. A sensation of liquid stone adds further complexity as a sour burst of lime and salt lingers through the long, cheek-puckering finale. There is so much tension and verve within, which makes the 2022 a real standout amongst its peers.

92 points Eric Guido vinous.com

The 2022 Chardonnay VGW opens with alluring tones of flint and matchstick that give way to golden apples, quince, lemongrass, toast and allspice. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with concentrated, savory, flint-laced flavors. Its depth of flavor and textural presence is foiled by racy acidity, and it has a long, dynamic finish.

94 points Erin Brooks robertparker.com Drink 2025-2035

An intensely flinty, zesty, smoky and fragrant white. On the palate it’s salty, immensely concentrated and fresh, with heaps of crushed stone, flint and citrus rind flavors. Medium-bodied and electric, while packing a punch. Textured and creamy, too. A large proportion of the grapes comes from the Eola Amity Hills. Drink or hold.

96 points, jamessuckling.com Jan 2025

00 Wines VGW Chardonnay from Oregon’s Willamette Valley is a luminous expression of cool-climate Chardonnay made with Burgundian precision and Oregon soul. VGW stands for “Very Good White” – a name that’s charmingly understated for a wine that consistently dazzles with its purity, texture, and finesse. It’s one of 00 Wines’ signature whites, designed to reflect the terroir of the valley while showcasing the house style of elegance and minerality.

Sourced from a blend of premier sites across the Willamette Valley, particularly in the Eola-Amity Hills and Dundee Hills, VGW is built from volcanic and marine sedimentary soils that add layered complexity. The cooling winds from the Van Duzer Corridor play a key role, preserving natural acidity and slowing ripening to capture that elusive combination of ripeness and tension.

The wine is handcrafted by winemaker Wynne Peterson-Nedry, who brings precision and experience to every stage of production. Fermentation is wild, élevage is long, and aging occurs in finely tuned French oak barrels custom designed to preserve the wine’s vitality and structure without overshadowing the fruit. Expect aromas of white peach, lemon curd, sea spray, and flint, with a palate that’s simultaneously creamy and linear, unfolding with citrus zest, wet stone, and subtle almond pastry tones.

VGW Chardonnay is a gateway into the philosophy of 00 Wines – where balance, terroir, and restraint reign. It's a wine equally at home on a grand tasting table or quietly impressing alongside fine seafood, poultry, or triple-cream cheese.