The Richard Hermann Cuvée is named for Chris Hermann’s father, who is credited with instilling in his son an early and passionate interest in wine. The cuvée sits alongside the Freya and Kathryn at the pinnacle of the 00 Wines hierarchy, assembled from the finest barrels of the finest vintage-specific selections within the Willamette Valley portfolio. It has consistently attracted near-perfect and perfect scores from the world’s leading wine publications and, in magnum format, represents among the most ambitious and collector-oriented releases 00 Wines produces each year.

The 2021 vintage in Oregon was described by producer Kevin Harvey of Rhys Vineyards and others as an excellent year despite drought conditions across California and the Pacific Northwest, with the Willamette Valley’s maritime moderating influence providing a buffer against the worst heat events. The Richard Hermann Cuvée Chardonnay from this vintage was described by Jeb Dunnuck as having “lime blossom, lemongrass, flinty wet stone, baking spice and wild white flowers” with “full-bodied richness and long ageing potential.” The 2021 Richard Hermann Chardonnay earned 99 points from Jeb Dunnuck’s publication.

The Richard Hermann Cuvée has emerged as one of the most remarkable American Chardonnays produced in the 21st century, earning multiple near-perfect scores across successive vintages from both James Suckling and other leading critics. The 2021 represents a pivotal year in the cuvée’s trajectory, produced as the vineyards supplying the wine continued to mature and the winemaking team’s confidence in the specific barrels destined for the Richard Hermann grew. In magnum, the wine offers collectors the most generous format for long-term cellaring of this exceptional producer’s most prestigious white wine.

Golden with a nose of lime blossom, lemongrass, flinty wet stone, baking spice, wild white flowers and hazelnut. The palate is full-bodied and richly concentrated with stunning mineral focus, a long and complex finish of considerable power and a sense of reserved energy that demands patience in the cellar. Best from 2026 through 2040.