Alpha-Omega really doesn’t need much of an introduction to longtime PRIMA customers or lovers of the Napa Valley in general. Almost anyone that has driven up Highway 29 through Rutherford has seen the high-profile winery on the east side of the road, and anyone who has stopped in for a tasting knows the quality of the wines being made there. Using some of the top vineyard sites in Napa, the winemaking team, led by Jean Hoeflinger and Michel Rolland, are producing some very compelling products, polished, plush wines all usually costing in the triple digits. But A-O has also smartly arranged to put their wines in the hands of average consumer too thanks to their TWO label. Offered primarily to restaurants, the TWOs allow Alpha-Omega customers the chance to experience their quality at much more affordable prices. We’ve been fans of the A-O TWO SQUARED red for many years now and have also developed a solid constituency for their stylish and well-priced Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. And now we’re proud to introduce the very impressive Alpha-Omega TWO SQUARED Chardonnay. Coming from the cooler, more Chardonnay-friendly Arroyo Seco appellation in coastal Monterey, it’s a fresh, lively, very flavorful style of Chard produced with only a very small portion of barrel fermentation and the rest aged in tank. Relying solely on the purity of its fruit, the extra complexity that comes from six months of lees stirring in tank and the wee bit of barrel, it’s surprisingly zingy and warms in the glass to rich, glossy flavors of Golden Delicious apple, ripe Bosc pear, rising bread dough and hints of wintergreen, skinned hazelnut and lemongrass. Perfect as an apertivo, it’s also extremely versatile at the table and will be a good partner for either fish or fowl. In fact, just about everyone, no matter how fussy they are about Chardonnay, will find a lot to love in this very fine bargain. A very strong House Chardonnay candidate!