I've had several vintages of this appellation dating from the early 50's through this '78. The wines have always been rewarding, youthful, and complex.
This bottle had many of the same characteristics with some flaws. I'm the original owner and storage has been careful and consistent . The cork was only stained about halfway and there was minimal ullage with the wine level being still low in the neck. I had high hopes.
The first scents were distinctly of dustbin and light vegetable decay. After breathing for 30 minutes the compost scent lessened but the dustiness never left. Initial palate was strong fruit with raspberries and light tannin's. Still very powerful but not much complexity. This bottle was clearly past it's prime. The disappointment was that it did not continue to develop over the next hour, but faded while retaining that dustbin nose.
I'm still a fan of this estate, but not this bottle. *sigh*
Ullage at high shoulder. Cork somewhat loose. Decanted for 15 minutes. Initial nose was cardboard and dried flowers.
After 15 minutes fruit and subtle leather started to come through. This vintage retained a wonderful Margeaux elegance, though a bit muted if not powdery. Tannins were much diminished letting cherries, currents, and apple come through. Mostly fruit with a very soft finish and almost no alcohol or tannic bite, but still very lively.
This is not a big or bold wine, but one to be appreciated for its subtlety. We had it with a light pasta dish and it was perfect. Not domineering, but accommodating by enhancing everything it was paired with. A delightful bottle that belies some old "average" ratings. This vintage bloomed with age.
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Cellared since released. Cork in excellent condition. Fill still into the neck. Initial nose very soft with florals and fruit. We let the wine breathe for 30 minutes by which time initial scents began to develop with plum and leather. This wine kept getting bigger and better over the next 2 hours. Fruit, delicate florals, muted tannins, with increasing complexity. Every bit the Pichon Comtesse I’ve come to expect, but this one needed time to bloom.
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1978 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
2/8/2019 - StantheLee wrote: 85 Points
I've had several vintages of this appellation dating from the early 50's through this '78. The wines have always been rewarding, youthful, and complex.
This bottle had many of the same characteristics with some flaws. I'm the original owner and storage has been careful and consistent . The cork was only stained about halfway and there was minimal ullage with the wine level being still low in the neck. I had high hopes.
The first scents were distinctly of dustbin and light vegetable decay. After breathing for 30 minutes the compost scent lessened but the dustiness never left. Initial palate was strong fruit with raspberries and light tannin's. Still very powerful but not much complexity. This bottle was clearly past it's prime. The disappointment was that it did not continue to develop over the next hour, but faded while retaining that dustbin nose.
I'm still a fan of this estate, but not this bottle. *sigh*
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1978 Château Brane-Cantenac
12/22/2018 - StantheLee Likes this wine: 94 Points
Gentle Elegance.
Ullage at high shoulder. Cork somewhat loose.
Decanted for 15 minutes. Initial nose was cardboard and dried flowers.
After 15 minutes fruit and subtle leather started to come through. This vintage retained a wonderful Margeaux elegance, though a bit muted if not powdery. Tannins were much diminished letting cherries, currents, and apple come through. Mostly fruit with a very soft finish and almost no alcohol or tannic bite, but still very lively.
This is not a big or bold wine, but one to be appreciated for its subtlety. We had it with a light pasta dish and it was perfect. Not domineering, but accommodating by enhancing everything it was paired with. A delightful bottle that belies some old "average" ratings. This vintage bloomed with age.
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1978 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
11/25/2018 - StantheLee Likes this wine: 92 Points
Cellared since released. Cork in excellent condition. Fill still into the neck. Initial nose very soft with florals and fruit. We let the wine breathe for 30 minutes by which time initial scents began to develop with plum and leather. This wine kept getting bigger and better over the next 2 hours. Fruit, delicate florals, muted tannins, with increasing complexity. Every bit the Pichon Comtesse I’ve come to expect, but this one needed time to bloom.
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