1974 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon Selection

Consumers and critics alike should expect a fair bit of bottle variation in old wines, and looking at the previous notes in our database for this wine, that's compounded by now having been reviewed by three different critics. To my palate, this bottle of 1974 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection Lot F 1 Napa was in great shape—it was tasted at the winery, after all. Deep garnet in hue, with some bricking at the rim, it does show some aged characteristics of scorched leather and flambéed cherries but remains medium-bodied (13.2% alcohol), silky and elegant, adding notes of sandalwood on the finish. Drink this classic Old School Cabernet over the next few years and hope it's in as good condition as this bottle was.