Velvet Monster

Pétrus

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 1975

gorgeous plum and violet. Black cherry and gorgeous velvet texture. Really classy and rounded and long — 10 months ago

Matt LichtenbergPaul Woolls
with Matt and Paul
Tom, Jay and 7 others liked this

Bodegas Numanthia

Numanthia Toro Tempranillo 2004

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

Paul WoollsAra Aslanian
with Paul and Ara
LM, Eric and 8 others liked this

St. James Winery

Velvet Red Sweet Concord

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

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend

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

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1992

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, Shay and 17 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

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

Keith liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Mark Pagliaro
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

Joe liked this

McGregor Winery

The Delicious Monster White Blend 2024

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!
— 2 months ago

Ted and Tom liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

How long till Monster Energy sends them a cease and desist letter?

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1991

Changing it up with some Napa Cab! 91 HM is totally in the zone with stunning depth of aromatics and pure velvet on the palate. There is an incredible balance of fruit and secondary character. Fantastic. — 4 years ago

Jan, Ira and 6 others liked this
John Howard

John Howard Influencer Badge

@Lee Pitofsky if you’re gonna drink Napa, that’s the way to go!

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

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

Robert KnowlesMike Rabinowitz
with Robert and Mike
Mike, Jim and 19 others liked this
Mike Rabinowitz

Mike Rabinowitz

I’m calling BS. Not a tenth less than 9.9. Simply incredible in depth, elegance and balance.
Mike Rabinowitz

Mike Rabinowitz

I’m calling BS. Not a tenth less than 9.9. Simply incredible in depth, elegance and balance.
Mike Rabinowitz

Mike Rabinowitz

I’m calling BS. Not a tenth less than 9.9. Simply incredible in depth, elegance and balance.

Illinois Cellars

Velvet Red Red Blend

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

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

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

James, Daniel P. and 3 others liked this

Charles Smith

The Velvet Devil Washington State Merlot 2014

k
8.9

Balanced with front fruit and decent body. No overpowering aspects. — 8 months ago

Herman Story

Nuts & Bolts California Syrah 2014

2014 Vintage. Was a bit funky on opening but opens and lost that funk with air. Massive Syrah fruit and velvet mouthfeel. Great job Russell! — a year ago

Shay, Jan and 1 other liked this

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah

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 — a year ago

Scott@Mister, Paul and 4 others liked this
David White

David White

Are you going to try the new La Chapelle Grange blend at $2000 ++?

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Very dense and primary still. Dark plum, damson, blood, hint of minerality and menthol. Beautifully rich and smooth, real velvet on the palate. Good balance and long. If there’s a knock, it lacks a little in definition and wildness... all is subsumed in a smooth and rich ride. — 5 years ago

Juan, Severn and 14 others liked this

Trader Moon

Velvet Moon California Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

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

Charles Smith

The Velvet Devil Columbia Valley Merlot 2015

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