2018 Alpha Omega ERA Red
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S$63688
- S$66988
Vintage: 2018
Country: USA
Region: Napa Valley
Appelation: Rutherford
About Winery
Established in 2006, Alpha Omega’s mission is to create artisanal wines drawing on Old World vineyard handcrafted practices and emphasis on unique terroir driven characteristics that reveal a sense of place combined with New World technology and science.
The winery, located on the Rutherford Bench in the heart of Napa Valley, exudes the utmost experience of hospitality in an authentic place reflective of the Napa Valley farming community. Presenting world-class wines in a convivial setting remains just as paramount to vintners Robin and Michelle Baggett today as when they opened the winery’s doors on July 1, 2006.
Alpha Omega boasts a picturesque setting, highlighted by views of its landmark water fountains and reflecting pond, stunning vineyards and the statuesque Mayacamas Mountains. The breathtaking scenery makes for the perfect backdrop to enjoy the handcrafted wines made with grapes from prized, historic vineyards by Alpha Omega’s talented winemaking team.
A warm staff of well-trained wine educators, the postcard-worthy setting and the modern farm-style architecture of the winery on Napa Valley’s famous Highway 29, paired with beautiful wines was the intentional vision the Baggetts conceived when they toured the valley in 2005 searching for a property to purchase to open their first winery together. To create an estate comparable to the finest in the valley, the Baggetts took on the project in the same fashion that helped them achieve success in other fields — Robin as an attorney, grape grower and vintner in San Luis Obispo and Michelle as an international hotel interior designer later becoming a hospitality marketing and communication professional and branding whiz. Creating the brand name Alpha Omega in 2005 predestined their ambition to craft the ultimate winery experience from beginning to end. Today, Alpha Omega is honored that its estate is considered one of the top wineries in the region.
When it came to building its brand, Alpha Omega spared no expense. There were no limits for the starry-eyed vintners who aimed to bring their vision to fruition. Several months into negotiations for the property, Sir Peter Newton of Newton Vineyards suggested to the Baggetts that they talk to his winemaker and assistant winemaker about joining their new winery project. This team together had excelled at making award-winning wines for Newton Vineyards in Napa Valley and left to do the same for Alpha Omega.
The Baggetts’ relationships in the valley afforded them the opportunity to procure the best grapes from prized vineyards throughout the top AVAs of Napa Valley — most notably Thomas Vineyard in Rutherford, Beckstoffer To Kalon in Oakville, Beckstoffer Georges III in Rutherford, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane and Beckstoffer Las Piedras in St. Helena, Stagecoach in Atlas Peak, Drew Vineyard in Mount Veeder and Sunshine Valley in the Oak Knoll District.
Alpha Omega is a boutique wine producer in Napa Valley's Rutherford AVA, founded in 2006. Alpha Omega sources grapes from all over the Napa Valley, producing both single-vineyard and blended wines from varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
The flagship offering from Alpha Omega's wine portfolio is Era, a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon that is complimented with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Era as a label name is derived from the "new era of winemaking" concept that combines New World and Old World production techinques in the winery. It is blended from the the finest vineyards and barrel selections
Additionally, Alpha Omega produces Chardonnay sourced from Carneros, Coombsville, and Calistoga, as well as Sauvignon Blanc designed to emulate a Bordeaux Blanc to name a few.
The estate has very few vines on the property, most of which are planted to the popular Rutherford variety, Sauvignon Blanc. Instead, Alpha Omega sources fruit from top vineyards across the Napa Valley. This includes several single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines from Beckstoffer Vineyards including Dr. Crane, Georges III, Las Piedras and the famed To Kalon.
Prior to established Alpha Omega in 2006, founders Michelle and Robin Baggett also established the Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo in 1998. Today, this brand falls under the Alpha Omega Collective joining Perinet, a Priorat DOC producer of red varietal wines in Spain
99 Pts, Wine Advocate
Composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot, the opaque purple-black colored 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon ERA explodes with bombastic scents of crème de cassis, blueberry compote, chocolate-covered cherries and mulberries plus touches of spice cake, smoked meats, cedar chest and tar with a compelling waft of licorice. Full-bodied, decadently fruited and heady on the palate, it delivers loads of delicate savory and earth nuances among the packed black fruit layers, supported by super firm, super ripe tannins and lovely freshness, finishing with a whole firework display of minerals and spices. - Lisa Perotti
99 Pts, James Suckling
Beautiful notes of pure crème de cassis and darker currants, scorched earth, graphite, smoke tobacco, and toasty oak give way to a full-bodied, flawlessly balanced Cabernet with lots of underlying structure, rock star concentration, and the tight, inward, yet impressive style that's common in 2018. Showing more and more minerality with time in the glass, it shuts down relatively quickly and is a wine for the long haul. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-5 years, if not longer, and it should evolve for 30+ years or more.
