Chateau Margaux 1978

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (92)

Although the 1978 is a more powerful, fuller-bodied style of Margaux, it is less charming and fruity than the 1979. The 1978's nose has moved from one of ripe fruit and spicy oak, to tarry, truffle, earthy aromas that come across as slightly too masculine and meaty. Nevertheless, this is a rich, full-bodied, concentrated Margaux that only suffers in comparison with the great vintages produced under the Mentzelopoulos regime. Some of its rusticity may be due to tannins that were not totally ripe during the harvest. In any event, it remains one of the few great wines from the 1978 vintage. While I initially thought it would be fully mature within two decades of the vintage, it could still benefit from another 3-4 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2020.

Winespectator (89)

This drapes wonderfully from the start, as the slightly rugged charcoal backdrop has softened and the dried black currant and mulled blackberry fruit has melded into notes of menthol, pain d'épices and bittersweet cocoa. The structure is dusty and decidedly old-school in feel, with a lingering woodsy, smoky, autumnal accent.—Non-blind Château Margaux vertical (December 2013). Drink now through 2020.