Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 1978

The 1978 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a ferrous bouquet, fully mature of course, with fresh mint, potpourri and lavender notes. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine bead of acidity and slightly dry tannins. It is pretty meaty with dried blood and black pepper, attenuating just a little on the finish. The 1978 is an old-school Claret through and through, approaching the end of its drinking plateau, so don't hesitate to open any if they're in your cellar.

Past its prime, the wine shows more acidity and secondary characteristics than fruit. Drink up as it's only going to continue fading. That being said, 1978 is the first vintage for the owner of the chateau, so it was a fun historic treat to taste, in that context.

Brightening garnet color; quite brilliant. Classic Médoc, Cabernet-led bouquet, with a gentle green bell pepper note. Pleasantly structured on the palate, medium-bodied, with truffle nuances, a pleasing sweetness in the extract, well-balanced, and a lovely length.

Dry, slender, slightly green bouquet with notes of oak and green pepper. Dry, firm, lean palate with firm tannins. Dry finish. 16/20 drink up.

Deep red color. Good intensity. Mature yet still bright. Nose of medium intensity. Refined. Fresh and fruity. With aeration, it becomes more intense. Hints of fur and meaty notes. Fairly complex with a touch of vegetal character. A clean attack developing into a broad, juicy structure, very fruity, with good concentration. A slow, remarkably well-balanced tannic development that turns generous, leading to a sappy, slightly austere finish where very ripe fruit lingers for a long time. Very long finish with a return of racy notes. A great wine to start drinking now.

The first vintage of the Borie era. Brick red with a mahogany edge. Forest-floor and mint aromas and flavour. Still some sweetness to the fruit but clearly evolved. Fresh but with a short, drying finish. Of historical interest but has definitely plateaued. Has held up well, though. (JL)

This is one of the few 1978 Médocs that has not shown increased herbaceousness as it has evolved. The 1978 Grand-Puy-Lacoste remains dark ruby/purple in color, with a bouquet offering scents of blackcurrant, smoke, and earth. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine structure and tannins, this wine combines elegance with authoritative flavors. It is close to maturity, yet it can be cellared for at least another 10–12 years. It may last even longer. Last tasted: 5/93.