Jay Kline

9.5

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1998 pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is just entering the transition from developing to vinous, with notes of ripe black plum, Montmorency cherry, purple flowers, cocoa, tobacco, dried herbs, fine baking spices, a touch of leather, some organic earth and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and the texture is almost like velvet. This is a delicious wine that seems to be just getting started. Considering the amount of fruit and structure still present at 28 years old, I expect a very long life yet ahead. Drink now with some air, through 2068. — 21 days ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.5

Massive monster of a wine that will obviously polarise. The type of wine that you drink while being fed grapes and fanned with a giant palm leaf. Opulent and luxurious with blackberry, brambles and tar. Its going to be too much for a lot of people but if you like your wines full of flavour then this is for you! — 2 years ago

Malcolm Trimble

9.2

Dark ruby color. Nose and palate of dark fruit -raspberry cherry currant and a hint of vanilla. Very smooth. And the velvet label. This is a great Cabernet flying below the radar — 6 years ago

Arden Barnett

9.5

Hot damn! A beautiful, graceful monster of a wine. Nose of dried blueberries, tobacco and flowers. Big black fruit, Sweet red plums, licorice, and freshly tanned leather all hit you at once with an intensity only attributable to some of the best in the game. Lingering finish of dark red fruit and maybe some kind of citrus? Extremely fine tannins and really nice acidity danced harmoniously with each other. Great with a prime NY Strip. While never my first choice, it is always such a treat to enjoy a bottle of Opus! — 6 years ago

Lindsey Hanson

9.0

Smooth... Buttery finish. Full bodied flavor, but not overwhelming — 7 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.5

Dried cherries, Black Cassis, tobacco, saddle leather, pencil shavings, incense, chocolate ganache, mint tea, cigar box. Rounded acid, medium width smooth velvet tannins, medium bodied, juicy-satin texture, long complex smoky finish. Just entering its drinking window. 45 minute decanting recommended. — 8 years ago

Des Adams

9.8

Loved! 5/1/22 lot 6 — 2 months ago

k

8.9

Balanced with front fruit and decent body. No overpowering aspects. — 10 months ago

Lyn Farmer

9.8

Exceptional wine - deep ruby color with a huge bouquet of violet, plum, black pepper, black cherry, licorice, vanilla, clove, prune and dried rose petal. Velvet tannins, the alcohol is well balanced with the fruit and full-bodied texture. Still in its infancy but already delicious, this wine has a stunning future — 2 years ago

Kayla Wooldridge

10

Sweet at first and then tart to finish. A very good contrast. Not too sweet and not too tart. My favorite wine so far. — 5 years ago

Richard List

9.6

We tackled this monster at The River Cafe over the summer. Larger formats always seem to evolve that bit better over time and this was no exception. Absolutely fantastic. — 6 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Last night in MT at the lake. Gave this several hours of air. Nice dark tawny color. Vibrant in the glass. The nose is great right away and stayed on point through the evening. Notes of black cherries, warm raspberries, old cedar, some plums and a little leather saddle. Rich and silky in the mouth. Velvet glove. Long finish. Great wine. — 7 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Monster vintage for LB that will need more time. — 8 years ago

Mark Pagliaro

Winemaker Stone & Key Cellars

9.5

Beautiful velvet Cabernet paired with our Pollo Marsala tonight.! Very well balanced red fruit and smoothly silky tannins. Love Stags Leap!!! — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

The Delicious Monster White Blend 2024
W.O. McGregor – South Africa 🇿🇦

Overview
A vibrant and cheerful South African white blend composed of 60% Chenin Blanc, 20% Muscat, and 20% Chardonnay. Produced in the McGregor region, this wine leans into youthful freshness, aromatic charm, and easy-drinking appeal without becoming overly sweet or simplistic. A surprisingly polished everyday white that overdelivers on pure drinkability.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive notes of tropical fruit, ripe pear, melon, white peach, citrus blossom, and soft floral nuances jump from the glass. The Muscat adds aromatic lift and perfume, while the Chenin Blanc keeps the wine energetic and refreshing. Subtle orchard fruit and light honeyed tones round out the finish.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with refreshing acidity and a smooth, uplifting texture. Crisp and youthful, yet balanced enough to maintain freshness through the finish. Very approachable and easy to enjoy casually.

Food Pairings
Excellent with spicy Asian dishes, summer salads, grilled chicken, shrimp tacos, light curries, fresh fruit platters, or casual patio-style sipping.

Verdict
A fun and approachable white blend that delivers far more charm and balance than expected. Bright, youthful, aromatic, and dangerously easy to drink. A great reminder that uncomplicated wines can still be genuinely enjoyable and well-crafted.

Did You Know?
South Africa is home to some of the world’s oldest Chenin Blanc vineyards, and the grape has become the country’s signature white variety, capable of styles ranging from crisp everyday wines to age-worthy masterpieces.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is the type of bottle you open casually and suddenly realize the bottle is almost gone. Bright energy, great finish, and incredibly approachable without feeling generic. Cheers! — 3 months ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Dark and sweet with dense tannic grip. Red currant, plums and violets. A bit of a monster — 4 years ago

with Paul and Ara

David MacMillan

9.7

Ridiculous wine. Blue cheese, velvet tannins with the mildest chalk level, tiny amount of menthol and cherry, that made it perfect. Great wine for Todd’s leaving shindig — 6 years ago

with Robert and Mike

Nicole Pigg

9.2

Sweet, but not overly so. Very good dinner wine! — 7 years ago

Scott Wren

9.4

Love ChP when it’s got some age on it. (1998) Totally different beast and this was spicy velvet. — 8 years ago

John Browning

8.9

Very smooth with lots of berry. Good table wine for dinner — 8 years ago