NOTE: Please read condition notes below before purchasing.

Ratings & Tasting Notes:

92 points John Gilman

The Lot F-1 ‘Vintage Select’ is the last Krug wine made from Fay Vineyard fruit by the winery, and may well be the last of the great Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignons that had ranked right up at the very pinnacle of California Cabernet during the decades of the 1940s and 1950s. The 1974 Lot F-1 has been fully mature for many years but remains in full bloom on both the nose and palate, as it offers up a superb bouquet of dark berries, chipotle peppers, woodsmoke, herb tones, lovely soil nuances, tobacco, a touch of nutskin and a fantastic spice box of Indian spices in the upper register that just become more and more complex and vibrant with extended aeration. On the palate the wine is fullish, complex and velvety, with very little remaining tannins, but such fine balance that it will have no difficulty continuing to drink at a very high level for at least another decade or more. The wine shows lovely focus and fine mid-palate depth, and is very long, elegant and complex on the finish. A delightful bottle.

Cult Wines International Notes:

Charles Krug Winery is a historic and foundational pillar of the Napa Valley wine industry, widely recognized as the region’s first winery. Established in 1861 by Charles Krug, a German immigrant and visionary, the winery played a pivotal role in shaping Napa Valley’s identity as a world-class wine region.

Krug was a pioneer in using a cider press to make wine, and his dedication to innovation and quality set a precedent for future generations. However, the winery’s enduring legacy is owed to the Mondavi family. In 1943, Cesare Mondavi purchased the property and, along with his sons Robert and Peter, revitalized the estate and carried on its pioneering spirit.

Today, Charles Krug Winery remains under the ownership and guidance of the Peter Mondavi family. It continues to produce a portfolio of critically acclaimed wines, primarily focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon from its estate vineyards. The winery’s history and commitment to quality serve as a living testament to the roots of Napa Valley’s success, blending tradition with modern winemaking techniques.

Bottle Size:

750 mL

Storage History:

Storage history is uncertain.

Condition:

Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.

Label is age stained but is not ripped and in overall great condition. Mid-shoulder fill level.

Capsule was cut and partially removed prior to us consigning this bottle. This was likely done to examine the cork.

In order to prevent any further damage or evaporation, we have placed a clear shrink cap over the entire capsule. This is shown in the included images, both before and after. This cap can easily be removed when desired.

Please be aware that this bottle is NOT in optimal condition. With a fill level this low, it is very possible that the cork is suffering from age-related deterioration.

The bottle is not leaking, yet it is possible that the bottle may leak slightly in transit. Therefore, all sales are final and non-returnable. This bottle is deeply discounted.