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32 replies

'78 Bordeaux

M markjahnkeMember
As my wife and I approach our first anniversary, we will continue our "holiday rule" of purchasing each other 1-3 bottles of wine for under $1000. Thankfully, we only do this for our anniversary, Christmas, birthdays, and Valentine's Day or else I'd go broke! LOL! All of that said, with 1978 being her birth year, I'd like to get her a nice Bordeaux from that year...up to 3 actually. I know '78 was not the greatest year for Bordeaux, and I know that many of you will say not to waste my money on the '78, and buy a better vintage. I do however know that buying her a '78 will be extra special to her, and it will mean the world to her. So with that, does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks in advance!

-mJ

PS: yes, I know we've seen this thread many times, and yes, I know it's a boring thread, but I'd love to hear what people have to say.
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board-oboard-oMember
Most of the 1978s are tiring by now. As to sprnplr's suggestion, I think he's on the right track, but I'd skip the 1978 Beaucastel. For some reason, Beaucastel underperformed in that excellent vintage. A little less expensive and far better, imo, would be the Vieux Telegraphe. If you feel like springing for a majestic wine, the La Chapelle is phenomenal, but it will sell for many times its release price, which I'm guessing was about $20-25.

If you can find some Grand Cru Burgundies from great producers, 1978 was an excellent year for long-lived Burgundies, but you'll pay dearly for them and will have to hope provenance was ideal.
S sprnplrMember
quote:
Originally posted by Board-O:
Most of the 1978s are tiring by now. As to sprnplr's suggestion, I think he's on the right track, but I'd skip the 1978 Beaucastel. For some reason, Beaucastel underperformed in that excellent vintage. A little less expensive and far better, imo, would be the Vieux Telegraphe. If you feel like springing for a majestic wine, the La Chapelle is phenomenal, but it will sell for many times its release price, which I'm guessing was about $20-25.

If you can find some Grand Cru Burgundies from great producers, 1978 was an excellent year for long-lived Burgundies, but you'll pay dearly for them and will have to hope provenance was ideal.

Thanks Board-O. I knew that Rhone is where to go, and assumed that Beaucastel would have done a great job in that vintage, but didn't have the actual experience to back it up!
M markjahnkeMember
Good suggestions so far, so keep them coming! Thanks!

MWAGNER: not even 30 yet...damn! Must be nice! I figure we'll open at least one that I find on my wife's 30th in April.

Thanks to all for the anniversary wishes as well. Hard to believe a year has already flown by! Absolutely nuts...especially seeing as we were together for almost 5 years before we got married. I guess that means she's a keeper! Wink

Thanks again!

-mJ
G grossieMember
I've had a bunch of 78 bordeaux, and I think 78 had a charm all of its own that if drunk too young was probably missed. There is definitely an herbal streak that runs through 78s, but over time this has mellowed into a very nice tobacco type of profile and IMO many are very nice wines at decent prices.

Notably, I've had several bottles of 78 Duhart Milon that were outstanding, garnishing scores in the low 90s from several of the CWM. The 78 Pichon Lalande is probably still alive and is a very nice wine. The 78 Haut Brion is likewise probably still alive and is an amazing wine. Having said all that, provenance is everything in wine this age, so there's a lot of hit-or-miss in them. Also, they're all to be drunk now, not held much longer. Checking my inventory I see I still have a 78 Gloria (not particularly hopeful on this one, but I only paid $30 for it), and a 78 Branaire Ducru, which I've had the twin bottle of and it was very nice (also $30), but it's a little past due. If I were searching now for a special bottle I'd look for Haut Brion, or perhaps Latour.
G g-manMember
I've tried a few of the 78s.

Lynch Bages,
Calon Segur,
Sociando Mallet.

I dont have my pda on me, but from memory, alot of these were thin mouth feel. Fruit was a tad fading and I agree with the other members with the slight herbal streak. The lynch especially. I found them enjoyable, but none of them would crack an 83
F french16Member
quote:
Originally posted by Italian Wino:
It will cost you an arm and leg, but if you really want to splurge find a well stored bottle of 1978 La Tache. One of the best reds ever made.

IW

Here in Chicago, Hart Davis (great wine shop) have the '78 La Tache....for $3,000 Eek
Otherwise Heitz Martha's is at $200. They have a Cote Rotie from L de Vallouit for $60 (never tried any wine from this guy).
B birdungyMember
I tried a '78 Figeac (st emilion) with Otis on Friday night that was absolutely majestic. We thought it might be on its way out after the the 1st 10 minutes but the wine just stayed in there and was excellent. If you can find any, I would highly recommend it. Otis said he paid about $140 for the bottle, and it was in pristine condition.

I've also had Magdelaine '78 and Mouton and would avoid the latter. The Magdelaine was very good but probably past it now.

Happy hunting!

BirD
M markjahnkeMember
quote:
Originally posted by grossie:
I've had a bunch of 78 bordeaux, and I think 78 had a charm all of its own that if drunk too young was probably missed. There is definitely an herbal streak that runs through 78s, but over time this has mellowed into a very nice tobacco type of profile and IMO many are very nice wines at decent prices.

Notably, I've had several bottles of 78 Duhart Milon that were outstanding, garnishing scores in the low 90s from several of the CWM. The 78 Pichon Lalande is probably still alive and is a very nice wine. The 78 Haut Brion is likewise probably still alive and is an amazing wine. Having said all that, provenance is everything in wine this age, so there's a lot of hit-or-miss in them. Also, they're all to be drunk now, not held much longer. Checking my inventory I see I still have a 78 Gloria (not particularly hopeful on this one, but I only paid $30 for it), and a 78 Branaire Ducru, which I've had the twin bottle of and it was very nice (also $30), but it's a little past due. If I were searching now for a special bottle I'd look for Haut Brion, or perhaps Latour.


Thanks again to all for the information. I did indeed purchase one of the wines listed on here, but I don't want to give it away because I know there's some times that the wife lurks in here! Hi honey! Big Grin Still looking to purchase one more bottle, but don't think I am going to go the '78 route. Thanks again for the recommendations!

-mJ
M markjahnkeMember
Well, our anniversary came and went this weekend, and I presented my wife with her '78 Haut Brion and I think she was very happy with my choice. Thanks again to some of you for your other suggestions.

She on the other hand gave me an '01 Chateau Latour and an '04 Gaja Barbaresco. I look forward to opening these bad boys up some years down the road!

What a great weekend! Hard to believe our first year has already passed!

-mJ
Last edited by markjahnke
G grossieMember
winedoc- welcome to the boards.

Big time pass. 1970 was a pretty good year, but chances are that wine is terribly past due. In 1984 Parker gave that wine 65 points saying "lean, compact wine will only deteriorate further".

If I were you I'd probably find a different wine collector to buy from. Perhaps $1.35, or even $13.50, but certainly not $135.
board-oboard-oMember
quote:
Originally posted by winedoc71:
I need some guidance regarding a possible Bordeaux purchase. A local wine collector is offering a 1970 Chateau Beau Sejour-Becot, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru for $135/bottle. I have not been able to find out very much about that vintage. Any suggestions?


1970 was a great year, and the Merlot-based wines were great successes. My favorite was the La Gaffelliere, but I'd expect them to be slipping by now. The Petrus, that's another animule. It's almost ready.

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