1970 Charles Krug Winery (Peter Mondavi Family) Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection

Community Tasting Notes (10) Avg Score: 87.2 points

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  1/3/2022 - BellevuePhil Likes this wine: 90 Points

  It rolled off our tongues like my yacht hitting the water. In the realm of vintage treasures, the 1970 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as a true elixir of time. Born from the fruitful vineyards of Napa Valley, this wine embodies the convergence of opulence and countercultural liberation, inviting us on a transcendent journey where wealth and bohemian spirit intertwine.
  
  As the bottle is uncorked, a rush of anticipation fills the air, like the scent of rare incense wafting through a luxurious sanctum. In the glass, the wine reveals itself, an exquisite tapestry of deep ruby hues that glisten with an almost ethereal glow. It is as if the divine alchemy of nature itself has blessed this elixir, an homage to the sun-kissed vineyards and the mystical energy that permeates the earth.
  
  With each swirl of the glass, the aromas emerge like an intoxicating melody, captivating the senses in a symphony of scents. A bouquet of blackberries and cassis dances with the delicate whisper of dried violets and sun-drenched herbs, evoking the essence of a secret garden hidden amidst the opulence of a lavish estate. Hints of cedarwood and sandalwood weave through the air, harmonizing with the fragrant embrace of aged leather, a nod to the bohemian spirit that infuses this wine.
  
  On the palate, the 1970 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a decadent symphony of flavors that defy conventional boundaries. Like a lavish feast prepared by a bohemian gourmet, the wine exudes an exquisite richness that dances with the spirit of liberation. Luscious black cherries and ripe plums mingle with the playful sweetness of figs, while nuances of tobacco leaf and exotic spices bring depth and intrigue. The wine's texture, akin to liquid silk, caresses the tongue, leaving a trail of seduction that resonates with both opulence and artistic freedom.
  
  A sip of this divine elixir transports us to a realm where time stands still. The 1970 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon, like a vintage vinyl record spinning on a turntable, unveils layer upon layer of complexity and depth. Its velvety tannins, gracefully integrated, embrace the palate with a gentle firmness, reminiscent of a luxurious embrace that melds wealth with the rebellious spirit of the counterculture.
  
  This wine, a harmonious fusion of bohemian essence and aristocratic allure, unfolds like a symphony that defies conventional structure. Its resonant finish lingers, inviting introspection and contemplation, as if it were an invitation to explore the boundaries of perception and immerse oneself in the creative abyss. The 1970 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon is not merely a wine; it is an experience, an ode to the convergence of opulence and the liberated spirit.
  
  A treasure of the vintage world, this wine holds the power to transport us beyond the confines of time and place. With its meticulously crafted blend of wealth and bohemian sensibility, the 1970 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon encapsulates the rebellious energy that once surged through the veins of the free-spirited elite. It is a testament to the eternal pursuit of artistic expression, a reflection of a bygone era when boundaries were shattered and the human spirit soared.
  
  Notes of berries, faded hints of blissful evaporation. Served with Prime Rib (aged of course) and Beets.
  
  Sublime.

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  12/26/2020 - Goldstone Likes this wine: 95 Points

  Boxing Day Lunch at Home with Friends (Our Place, Hong Kong): What a beautiful wine! For those who don't know the story, the Mondavi family led by Cesare Mondavi , the family scion and lead winemaker, bought this property in the 1950s but his son Robert left in 1965 to set up his eponymous winery (at the age of 53). So this is a late vintage made by his dad.
  
  Distinct semi-opaque unalluring brown colour, remniscent of English 'Worcester Sauce'. Nose is surprisingly alive and vibrant - lots of savoury notes ( including Worcester Sauce), old brown shoes. Palate is unexpectedly fresh, good acidity, alive, lots of Chinese Medicine black herbs, Worscester Sauce, another more common English bottled Brown Sauce and all finished at the back end by semi-rotted plantation wood, still distinct tannin, lambs' blood...then slowly some lovely blackberry fruit emerges out of the loamy mists of an autumnal forest. Oh 'GOSH!'...this has suddenly totally changed into a gorgeous and seductive blackberry fruit and younger oak. Best after 3 hours from pouring...gets very heady and reverberant on the finish...a Lazarus-like experience. It ended up as one of my favourite experiences of 2020, although slightly beaten by the 1961 Giuseppe Contratto Barolo we drank alongside it. Merry Christmas!

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  12/2/2016 - meniscus Likes this wine: 88 Points

  The opening of this wine was inauspicious to say the least. Mid/low shoulder fill with visible seepage. While cleaning the mold off the top of the cork, it pushed in a half inch. I got most of it out in three pieces but was braced for the worst.
  
  Color: Surprisingly youthful! Deep ruby with garnet rim. No browning.
  Nose: Smoke, earth, ash, meat. Some baked red fruit notes.
  Palate: Lively with good length and balance. Light/medium body with long resolved finish trailing off to a slight, not unpleasant bitter note. Flavors of plum, blackberry, tobacco, leather, earth...
  
  All this makes me think a bottle in better condition might be great...

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  7/9/2016 - salil wrote: 92 Points

  Cellar raiding at Jeff's: Fully mature and totally seamless with red fruits, cedar, vanilla, leather, and other tertiary savoury notes coming together very seamlessly on a medium weight frame. The structure here is fully resolved, and this is drinking beautifully.

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  2/12/2016 - dpolivy wrote:

  Vindredi (Jeff's): A touch of barnyard along with sweet red fruit. Mature, but showing well.

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