2018 00 Wines, EGW Chardonnay, Willamette Valley

00 Wines is the project of Chris and Kathryn Hermann, built around a very specific idea: Oregon Chardonnay treated with the seriousness and detail usually reserved for white Burgundy. EGW stands for "Extra Good White," the estate's core Chardonnay, made from a mix of Wente and Dijon clones sourced from sites including Chehalem Mountain Vineyard and the Eola-Amity Hills. The winemaking is a big part of the identity here. 00 is known for a version of the black Chardonnay technique, pressing and exposing the juice to oxygen early so the finished wine is more stable and less marked by reduction. Fermentation and aging take place in barrel, but the oak is not the headline. 2018 was warm and dry, yielding white peach, pear, and lemon curd with enough acid and structure to balance the fruit. A serious Oregon Chardonnay for Burgundy drinkers.