One of the top overall lineups in Napa, Alpha Omega has created a dazzling array of world class wines with their new releases. Founded in 2006, Alpha Omega is a gorgeous, family-owned property that relies on the talented hands of superstar winemaker, Jean Hoefliger and consulting winemaker, Michel Rolland. The new releases all captured the terroir and intensity of these exciting and warm recent vintages. Alpha Omega is able to source from some of the storied Napa Valley vineyards including the famed To Kalon Vineyard and the Stagecoach Vineyard. I recently had the opportunity to visit this gorgeous winery and check out their new wines.
I think they consistently produce some of the best Chardonnay wines in Napa. The 2014 Alpha Omega ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay (WWB, 94) follows up the knockout ’13 bottling and shows tremendous richness and poise from this warm vintage. Their Cabernet lineup was stellar, none more so than their 2015 Alpha Omega ‘Sunshine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 97) which was a sexy and scintillating wine that shows gorgeous tension, intensity and terroir. Learn more about these fantastic wines at http://www.aowinery.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by Alpha Omega.
2014 Alpha Omega Chardonnay- This great wine was aged for 18 months in roughly 30% new French oak prior to bottling and this wine underwent cold stabilization. The wine begins with a ripe bouquet of pineapple, roasted peaches, creme brûlée and suggestions of nutmeg. This wine has a wonderful mouthfeel and texture, leading to bright apricot jelly, brioche, poached pear and suggestions of vanilla cream. The wine finishes long with heavy whipping cream. Drink 2017-2027- 93
2014 Alpha Omega ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay- The 2014 Alpha Omega ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay is the result of premium grapes and the winemaker’s favorite barrels. The wine was sourced from the Toyon, Caldwell and Los Olivos vineyards. The wine was aged for 18 months in only 6% new French oak, with weekly battonage. The wine begins ripe aromatics of butterscotch, banana, pineapple and Meyer lemon. Silky smooth on the mouth, the wine is a delight to savor. Pineapple, golden delicious apple, vanilla cream and lemon rind flavors impress. The finish lingers. Drink 2017-2028- 94
2014 Alpha Omega ‘Toyon Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This outstanding Chardonnay was sourced entirely from the Toyon Vineyard and is a limited production release by Alpha Omega. The wine begins with aromas of butterscotch, Meyer lemon and pineapple as the wine has an exotic edge. The mouthfeel is fat, showing off butterscotch, heavy whipping cream and apricot as well as pineapple. This is drinking exceedingly well right now and the wine will have a long life in the cellar. Drink 2017-2028- 94
2012 Alpha Omega ‘Proprietary’ Red Wine- The wine was aged for 22 months in 70% new French oak prior to bottling. This was sourced from Beckstoffer, To Kalon, Newton, Stagecoach and a host of other great Napa vineyards. This wine is primarily Cabernet (61%) with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This begins with mocha, graphite, dark cherry and blackberry jam aromatics. This leads to ripe flavors of dill, creme de cassis, mocha and tar aspects. This has wonderful weight and texture. This is drinking beautifully at this juncture. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2012 Alpha Omega ‘Proprietary’ Red Wine- Primarily Cabernet (61%) this great wine begins with a ripe bouquet of anise, creme de cassis and coffee grounds. The palate is plush, showcasing dark fruits alongside some gorgeous minerality. This really shows off the heat of the vintage. You have to admire the texture, stuffing and balance of this great wine. Drink 2017-2030- 93
2011 Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon- This wine is an outstanding blend of 76% Cabernet, 30% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. The wine was aged for 22 months in 80% new French oak prior to bottling. The wine begins with aromatics of black tea, mocha, anise and creme de cassis,. The palate is plush showing off dill, black tea and mocha flavors. Drink 2017-2028- 92
2012 Alpha Omega ‘Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The To Kalon Vineyard is one of the world’s historic vineyards, located in the Oakville AVA. The wine begins with intense aromatics of milk chocolate, mocha, creme de cassis and anise. The palate is plush, delivering mint, Turkish coffee, anise, creme de cassis, and boysenberry pie flavors that intense and gratifying. This stunning wine has a wonderful sense of place as this shows off the AVA. The mouthfeel and texture is insanely good. The purity of fruit here is just lovely. Drink 2017-2030- 98
2014 Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon- This wine is a blend of 85% Cabernet with smaller parts Petit Verdot and Merlot. The wine was aged for 20 months in 70% new French oak prior to bottling. Sourced from Carr, Mill Creek, Sultan and a host of other great Napa vineyards. The wine begins with a bright bouquet of mocha, sandalwood, mint and creme de cassis. This has a marvelous texture showing of coffee grounds, mint, cream de cassis and milk chocolate flavors that impress. The long finish completes this great wine. If enjoying young be sure to decant for a few hours. Drink 2017-2030- 93
2014 Alpha Omega ‘Sunshine Valley Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This awesome wine begins with bright aromas of creme de cassis, mocha, anise and sweet pipe tobacco. Silky and focused this has deep flavors of mocha, mint, creme de cassis and coffee grounds. The smooth tannins complete this great bottling. This wine needs at least a two hour decant if enjoying in its nascent phase. Drink 2017-2035- 95
2015 Alpha Omega ‘Sunshine Valley Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This is sourced from a vineyard just south of the town of Yountville located in the Oak Knoll AVA. The nose here is a downright knockout delivering rose petal, anise, creme de cassis and tar aromatics. The wine has a stunning combination of milk chocolate, mocha, anise and creme de cassis flavors. The tannins are deep as is the rich mouthfeel and delicious flavors. This needs a very long decant if enjoying young. Drink 2018-2040- 97
2015 Alpha Omega ‘Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This vineyard is located roughly two miles north of Sunshine Valley Vineyard located in the Oakville AVA. The wine opens with a rich bouquet of anise, creme de cassis, and black olive tapenade. The texture to this wine glides along the mid-palate. The wine has mouth watering acidity and is downright intoxicating right now, delivering plush mocha, mint, creme de cassis and anise flavors that impress. This will cellar marvelously for decades but is nearly impossible to resist right now. Be sure to give this a long decant before enjoying. Drink 2018-2035- 95
2015 Alpha Omega ‘Thomas Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The wine is sourced from an Rutherford AVA vineyard. This wine begins with aromatics of graphite, Turkish coffee, creme de case ands cherry tomato. The palate is plush, showing of intoxicating flavors reminiscent of mocha, anise, creme de cassis, milk chocolate and tar. This has incredible texture and mouthfeel, as well as intensity. Drink 2018-2040- 96
2015 Alpha Omega ‘Stagecoach Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The wine is sourced from the Stagecoach Vineyard located in the Atlas Peak AVA, one of Napa’s most historic vineyards. The vineyard was originally farmed by the Krupp Family and was recently sold to the Gallo Family. This was aged for 22 months in 80% new French oak prior to bottling. The wine begins with aromatics of coffee grounds, mint, anise and creme de cassis. The mouthfeel is seductive and smooth. Silky tannins open mint, pipe tobacco, mocha and anise flavors with creme de cassis. Smooth and beautifully textured, this is another downright killer release by Alpha Omega. Drink 2018-2040- 96
2014 Alpha Omega ‘Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard’ Petit Verdot- The Dr. Crane Vineyard is an iconic Napa site located in Saint Helena. Dr. Crane was an early vintner in Napa during the nineteenth century who was known for experimenting with clones. This inky colored wine begins with a bright bouquet of creosote, black tea, mocha and creme de cassis with cigar box elements. The palate is intense and hugely gratifying. Tar, cigar box, anise and creme de cassis flavors are deep and penetrating. This tannic monster needs at least two more years in the bottle. Drink 2019-2040- 95