The Chehalem Mountains AVA sits in the northern portion of the Willamette Valley, encompassing the volcanic basalt soils that characterise much of the region’s most structured and age-worthy Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production. For 00 Wines, the Chehalem Mountain Chardonnay represents one of the label’s single-origin expressions, stepping above the VGW blended tier to present the specific geological and climatic character of a single sub-AVA in a wine of greater focus and mineral precision. Pierre Millemann’s French consultancy shapes the reductive, Burgundian house style across all single-origin releases.

The 2023 Chehalem Mountain Chardonnay was vinified using native yeasts in French oak barrels with a proportion of new wood, following the standard 00 Wines protocol of minimal intervention and extended lees ageing. The Chehalem Mountains site reliably produces Chardonnay with a distinctive stony, earthy character, quite different from the salinity of the Eola-Amity Hills sites or the floral delicacy of the Seven Springs Vineyard. In 2023, the balanced growing season allowed the Chehalem Mountain fruit to develop fully without excessive heat or moisture, yielding a wine of exceptional clarity.

Vinous’s Eric Guido awarded the 2023 Chehalem Mountain Chardonnay 96 points, describing its “crushed stones, flint, sesame, vanilla spice and yellow apple” meeting “stunning minerality, fresh acidity and ripe orchard fruit.” This score places the wine at the top of the single-origin tier within the 00 Wines range, confirming the Chehalem Mountain site’s exceptional quality and the winery’s ability to translate it faithfully into a Chardonnay of genuine distinction. The 2023 vintage is broadly regarded as the finest recent season for the Chehalem Mountains appellation.

Pale gold with aromas of crushed stones, flint, sesame, vanilla spice and yellow apple, opening into stunning mineral depth as it warms in the glass. The palate is energetic and fruit-focused with ripe orchard character, candied citrus and a sharp, saline mineral thrust. Long and sapid on the finish with exceptional concentration and freshness. Best from 2025 through 2033.

Crushed stones, flint, sesame, vanilla spice and yellow apple meet stunning minerality, fresh acidity, ripe orchard fruit and saline resonance.  — Vinous