Napa Roadtrip: Tasting at Alpha Omega

TASTING EXCEPTIONAL WINES AT ALPHA OMEGA (NAPA) - Rutherford, CA (9/2/2009)

While planning my tasting trip in Napa, Jean Hoefliger of Alpha Omega sent me a message inviting me to go tasting. I had never heard of Alpha Omega till Eric G. posted about it a month or so ago. I asked around and quite a few of my friends in Napa heaped praise all over the current efforts of the winery. Excited about all of the positive praise I decided to take a visit. Jean, Michael Rolland, and Henrik Poulsen (assistant WM) started to craft a new style of wine in 2006 for Alpha Omega… one worthy of the praise that I heard. There was a stark contrast between the wines made in 05 and 06 … and for the better. Jean worked as the assistant WM at Lynch Bages and was the Winemaker at Newton in Napa… and is built like a NFL linebacker :stuck_out_tongue:.

The winery itself is gorgeous and relaxing. Tons of sofas out on the patio overlooking the fountain/vineyard/Highway 29. They also have a new tasting room which was pretty bustling when we arrived as well as when we left. A constant stream of people were going in and leaving with wine… I had read a few posts about Frat boys working there but… unless 50+ year old men with beards are still considered frat boys… I didn’t see any there. They were also constructing the barrel storage area next door.

Jean and Henrik set up an amazing tasting for us and spent hours of their time just sitting around, drinking and talking about wine in their new private tasting room… as they popped bottle and bottle of wine for us to try. I unfortunately do not have notes on some of them but I enjoyed the Sauv Blanc (I think I’ll enjoy most zesty whites in 100F weather) as well as the other reds that I don’t have listed here. We tasted through their high end ERA bottling (2006 & 2007) as well as some chardonnay, cabernet and another red blend. The 2006 ERA is probably one of the best Napa reds I’ve had from the 2006 vintage and I’m looking forward to trying it again when it has a few more years in bottle. I’m a huge fan of their style approach to their reds, to my knowledge all of reds have a few different types of grapes in them… I’ve never been a giant fan of 100% cabernet wines. These wines demonstrate power as well as finesse

I knew it was going to be an informative and great tasting when we talked for almost 45 minutes and forgot we were even there to drink wine! (hence the empty glasses below). Common professional grounds were shared between all of us and it was great just learning about the person who’s making the wine and their approach on life and not just wine. I really enjoyed just talking to the two guys… it almost made the wine secondary!

  • 2006 Alpha Omega Chardonnay - USA, California, Napa Valley
    a nose of peach, straw, and lemon with slate undertones. There is a tinge of butter on the nose but the most prominent characteristic is the straw and lemon. On the palate it has several soft silky layers of flavors, from a hint of butter that’s typical of napa chard but there is a blend of lemon zest in the background that mixes with long acidity. Well integrated at this point. Very nicely done for the style (91 pts.)
  • 2005 Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
    Standard fruit forward cabernet. Chocolate and ripe red berries on the nose with velvety soft vanilla red fruit on the palate. Ripe- lush. Stark contrast to the far more complex 2006. (89 pts.)
  • 2006 Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
    A touch of heat when first poured into the class that disappears and opens up to fresh ground coffee, ruby fruit, dark raspberry, and a sprinkle of brown sugar. Unlike the lush ripe cab in 2005, the 2006 still has that sweet red fruit but it has a dark core of tobacco and wood that sits in the background waiting to mix with the fruit. Some chalky tannins on the finish with clean acidity. I think this wine will come around real well in the coming years. (92 pts.)
  • 2006 Alpha Omega Alpha Omega Proprietary Red - USA, California, Napa Valley
    Bright red fruit on the nose with some vanilla oak and heat. As with the other wines, a soft palate with spiced dark berry with big tannins on the finish. Ripe/fruit forward red blend with a red fruit sweetness on the mid palate. Needs time to integrate. (90 pts.)
  • 2006 Alpha Omega Era - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
    A very rich and expressive wine with spiced currant and alluring ripe raspberry on the nose. Incredibly soft palate with rich dark fruit and a spiced woodsey note. Expressive floral notes on the finish lead to a really “pretty” wine that comes along with beautiful long acidity and soft tannins. Pretty awesome wine. One of my favorite wines on my Napa trip and probably one of the best 2006 wines I’ve had from Napa. (35% Cab, 28% Merlot, 20% Cab Franc, 17% Petit Verdot) (95 pts.)
  • 2007 Alpha Omega Era - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
    Sweat creamy blackberry on the nose with a touch of tobacco and cedar. Really big powerful palate with a punch of blackberries that’s densely concentrated with a hint of oak, less lush and fruit forward than the 06. Barrel Sample

Thank you Jean and Henrik for your generosity. The 2006 ERA was exceptional and I look forward to trying the 06’s down the road.
Posted from CellarTracker

Damn. That life as an unemployed law grad must suck.

Wow - this looks like it must have been great! Oh wait… neener

This really was a fantastic time. Jean and Henrik are extremely knowledgable and friendly, and they are making some seriously delicious wines. I really enjoyed the 2006 Cab as well as the 2006 Proprietary Blend. The Era (or Eros as Charlie likes to refer to it headbang ) was VERY good.

Based on Charlie’s recommendation, we went tasting at Alpha Omega a day after he went and were not disappointed. As Charlie stated, the place is beautiful and when you get seated in the patio. you almost don’t want to leave. They are certainly producing something special at their place. The 2006 Era and chardonnay were very good and we ended up buying a few of the chardonnay as they were quickly running out.

Cheers,

I’ve been singing the praises of this place for awhile now. The 06 ERA is fantastic – much better than the 07 right now.

Wow sounds great. Thanks Charlie, Dan and Will for not telling me about it. Like I have more friggin room for wine. headbang

Don’t forget to grab some Estate Cab as well… [cheers.gif]

Dana and I went during Berserkerfest I weekend. The grounds are impressive, and the fountain and pond were completly rebuilt and the great outdoor seating area added. We tasted through the same wines and were impressed. We both enjoyed the visit and agree that this place is one to watch if you are looking for a nice Cab or Bordeaux blend.

good you didn’t arrive till friday!

Their staff seems to usually prefer the proprietary blend, I like the cab better, but I did love the 06 ERA last year from barrel. Got a three pack sleeping. So those of you who tried the 07 ERA can you compare and contrast them a little more?

This is obviously from memory/impression, but here goes. The 06 seemed a little broader shouldered to me, never seemed completely shut down. The 07 I had over the weekend was tighter than a virgin on prom night. Wasn’t giving up anything, but knowing the winemaking staff at AO, I wouldn’t bet against it. I am not an ager of Cali Cab, but I would think the 07 ERA needs at least 5 years to get itself sorted out.