2006 Alpha Omega Era

The 2006 ERA Proprietary Wine, which is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with small quantities of Merlot and Cabernet Franc blended in, offers plenty of spicy new oak, but it is nicely counter-balanced by abundant black currant, tobacco leaf, smoke, cedar, and spice box characteristics. Dense, fleshy, and full-bodied, it will benefit from another 1-3 years of bottle age, and last for 15 years. I had expected these offerings to be more impressive based on the seemingly unlimited investments behind the wines, the new winemaking facility, and the employment of the super-star consultant, Michel Rolland. The wines are certainly very good, in fact some are outstanding, so perhaps it is too soon to know for sure as Alpha Omega has only produced a handful of vintages. There are four separate reds produced, and while I can understand the need for a cuvee from the Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard as well as a luxury proprietary offering, the other two wines seem more similar than dissimilar. Tel. (707) 963-9999; Fax (707) 963-9998