Ah, M231 and Shimano hubs (XTR/XT etc all the same)
I'd be going
Rear (36hole 3x)
NDS (left) 265 or 266
DS (right) 263 or 264
you could wing it with 264 on both side for a lazy build.
Front (36hole 3X)
266 or 267
(go a fancier 2x and grab some 261 or 262's or radial with 256's)
Spoke of choice is Double Butted, nothing else
2.0/1.8/2.0
DT Swiss, (Wheelsmith if I could get them) or SAPIM. (in fact ACI are fine too)
Going fancy (but only because I can build a wheel)
2.0/~1.5/2.0 for a light wait wheel.
Alloy nipples in your choice of colour...
but, especially for a first wheel, go brass. I have nothing against them and for a general build would use brass.
Not sure why you got Alpine, they're just fatter at the spoke end, more of a pain to get in and heavier than the standard spoke. Designed for Tandems and heavy load tourers needing that extra bit of reassurance and support.