Located in Napa Valley on the Rutherford Bench, Alpha Omega was founded in 2006 and remains a family owned winery. Superstar winemaker, Jean Hoefliger, utilizes the talents of consulting winemaker, Michel Rolland, in his bottlings. His new releases all captured the terroir and intensity of these great recent vintages. The proof is in the glass as I was extremely impressed with the new lineup of Alpha Omega wines. The key is in the winemaking and terroir as they source from some of the most important vineyards in Napa Valley including the famed To Kalon Vineyard. Some of the highlights of the tasting included the 2013 Alpha Omega Chardonnay (WWB, 94) and the 2013 Alpha Omega Reserve Chardonnay (WWB, 95), which was some of the best Napa Chardonnay that I have sampled in the past year. Both bottlings were viscous, intense and out of this world delicious.
I also was able to sample some of the 2014 Cabernet wines by the barrel was blown away with their potential. Following up the absolutely scintillating 2012 Alpha Omega ‘Era’ Cabernet (WWB, 96), the 2014 ‘Era’ Cabernet (WWB, 94-97) is going to be an absolute stunner. I was also hugely impressed with their 2014 ‘Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard’ Cabernet barrel sample (WWB, 95-98) which is absolutely massive, masculine and shows the heat, intensity and richness of what should be an excellent vintage for Napa Cabernet. These guys are performing on top of their game. It certainly does not hurt to have two superstar winemakers that balance each other out beautifully. It will be very exciting to see what Alpha Omega does in their next two Cabernet releases that also come from intense and warm vintages. Look for these wines at some specialty wine shops or online at aowinery.com
Here are the fantastic new release wines that I recently sampled at Alpha Omega winery.
2014 Alpha Omega Sauvignon Blanc- Weighing in at 14.1% alcohol, this rounded out Sauvignon Blanc opens with aromatics of Bartlett pear, Gala apple, honeydew melon and cut grass. There are flavors of poached pear, honeydew melon, starfruit and lovely balance with slight sweetness. This has really nice texture and richness as this is less crisp and more voluptuous. Drink 2016-2023- 92
2013 Alpha Omega Chardonnay- This impressive Chardonnay bottling was sourced from two different vineyards, one in Carneros and one in Napa. The wine was aged in 50% new French oak for 18 months with constant battonage prior to bottling. The wine opens with aromatics of butterscotch, creme brûlée, bananas foster and Honeycrisp apple. The wine has deep flavors of red delicious apple, creme brûlée, Meyer lemon oil and poached pear. Incredible mouthfeel, fruit weight and complexity here with a fatness on the mid-palate. The finish lingers. Drink 2016-2026- 94
2013 Alpha Omega ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay- Alpha Omega have crafted an absolute heavyhitter of a wine here. Even more impressive than their regular Chardonnay bottling, the ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay wine starts with aromatics of roasted hazelnuts, unripe pear, pineapple, and creme brûlée. There are dense flavors of peach pit, mango, golden delicious apple and poached pear. Gorgeous wine here that lingers on the tongue and shows a Chablis like minerality. Balanced, expressive and intense Chardonnay that is best served a little warmer than average, for the full range of fruit to show through. Drink 2016-2026- 95
2012 Alpha Omega Proprietary Red- This balanced wine begins with aromas of cedar, mocha, creme de cassis and black olive. There are flavors of mocha, black olive, black cherry and anise with suggestions of sage. Lovely depth and range to this wine that has a softer appeal from the Merlot. Drink 2016-2030- 92
2012 Alpha Omega Cabernet- Alpha Omega has blended this Cabernet from 19 different Vineyard sites, including Beckstoffer To Kalon, Missouri Hopper and Las Piedras vineyards. The wine was fermented on French oak and is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet starts with aromatics of mint, eucalyptus, black olive, and blackberry preserves with a touch of milk chocolate. The wine has flavors of mocha, creme de cassis, anise and coffee grounds. Gorgeous texture and balance as this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2016-2030- 92
2013 Alpha Omega ‘Beckstoffer Georges III’ Cabernet- This impressive Cabernet wine begins with rich aromatics of blackberry jam, coffee grounds, creme de cassis and anise with eucalyptus. There are layered flavors of creme de cassis, dark chocolate, anise, Turkish coffee and black olive. This Cab shows absolutely gorgeous range, depth and intensify here. The plush mouthfeel shows through. This is impossible to resist right now but will prove to be even better in another year. Drink 2017-2040- 95
2013 Alpha Omega Petit Verdot- This wine starts with the prototypical highly herbaceous aromas of anise, red bell pepper, with white pepper and anise. There are medium weight Flavors of red bell pepper, anise, creme de cassis and leather with moderate tannins. Polished and highly tannic right now. Give this at least an hour decant if enjoying now. Drink 2017-2030- 92
2012 Alpha Omega 'Era' Cabernet- A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, this gorgeous and round bottling begins with intense aromas of mocha, black tea, anise, cassis and black olive. There are deep and viscous flavors of anise, creme de cassis, blackberry pie and mocha. Intense wine from this incredible vintage. This wine will cellar beautifully for at least two decades. Drink 2016-2035- 96
2014 Alpha Omega ‘Era’ Cabernet Barrel Sample- 94-97
2014 Alpha Omega ‘To Kalon Vineyard’ Cabernet Barrel Sample- 95-98
2014 Alpha Omega ‘Thomas Vineyard’ Cabernet- 94-97