We were in Vegas over the weekend with another couple and checked out one of the hotel bars we had not yet been to. After looking at the drink menu, we decided on a bottle of wine. Our husbands had us choose. We narrowed it down to the two Chardonnays. One was Alpha Omega, the other Flowers. We tasted both and my friend told me to make the final decision. I went with the AO, because it was less oaky. Both were very delicious, though. I ordered the AO and went to the restroom. I came back and the glasses had already been poured. She poured the whole bottle into our 4 glasses, so I didn’t get a good look at the bottle and didn’t think to ask.
With tip, the bottle was $80 or $90. When I got home, I looked up AO Chardonnay because I wanted to buy some and noticed it was much more expensive than the listed price on the menu. I then noticed that AO has a second label Two Squared. I’m guessing that this is what we were drinking. Has anyone had it? I was really impressed by it, if that is what we had, and now I’d like to buy some.
this email reminded me of this post. No idea of the wine and take the marketing fluff with a grain of salt typically. Wine access is great customer service and great for referral deals and amex offers etc.
Alpha Omega Quality, 1/3 the Price
Dear Neal,
If you’re looking to spend less than $30, you won’t find a better Napa Valley Chardonnay than today’s 2020 AXR.
This exquisite bottle is crafted by Jean Hoefliger, the 100-point legend regarded as one of the top Cabernet and Chardonnay aces in California. Hoefliger, a partner at AXR, is the guy who world-renowned enologist Michel Rolland trusts to make his namesake wine. At Newton, Hoefliger made Chardonnays that Robert Parker compared to Cote d’Or Burgundies , and he spent years making top bottles at blue-chip Napa estate Alpha Omega.
The 2020 Chardonnay that Hoefliger made at Alpha Omega, which earned 94 points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown’s The Wine Independent, will run you $78. Today’s 2020 AXR earned the exact same score, making it a steal at the winery price of $44—and a must-buy at 1/3 off that.
Golden-hued in the glass, bursting with aromas of apple and pineapple and boasting a lush body and long finish, this is the epitome of California Chardonnay class, from a top winemaker no less. You won’t find a better bottle under $30, so don’t sleep on this.
2020 AXR Winery Chardonnay Napa Valley
94 The Wine Independent
$44
$29 1-11 bottles
Buy Now 34% Off $27 12+ bottles
Buy Now 39% Off
Spend $150+ within 30 days and shipping is free
A globe-hopping talent, Hoefliger got his vinicultural degree in Switzerland, did formative stints in Bordeaux at Château Carbonnieux and Château Lynch-Bages under Jean-Michel Cazes, and consulted as winemaker as far afield as Meerlust in South Africa.
Yet if you ask him his favorite place to make wine, he’ll tell you it’s Napa Valley. The consistent climate and growing season, the diversity of soils, and a culture that encourages creativity have provided him with a platform to turn out high-scoring Burgundian varieties of extraordinary precision and texture.
Hoefliger has made two perfect-score wines under The Debate label, another at Alpha Omega, and a slew of impressive ones for Newton as well. The man could not make a boring wine if he tried. His bottlings are always packed with incredibly pure, rich fruit, which is why this bottle is such a steal—at the winery’s price, sure, but especially at today’s discount.
Offers like this don’t come along often, so don’t squander this opportunity!
Wine Access Tasting Note
A golden core decorates the glass. The aromas are driven by acacia, butterscotch, and green apple, along with hazelnut and lemon. The palate is lush, broad, and balanced, with toasty notes, pineapple upside-down cake, and citrus that carries through the long finish. A delight of a Napa Chardonnay with richness, structure, and elegance. Drink now–2030.
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Chardonnay
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Oak
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I’ve really enjoyed the Alpha Omega main label chardonnays I had in the past, though I think they switched winemakers a few years ago so can’t comment on current vintages, nor have I had the second label - not surprised to hear it’s good juice, though.
I used to sell it and do really with it at restaurants, all the cache and winemaking of the brand and I think we had it at like an $18 wholesale price. It is really just a second wine for them, the original name was just AO II.
