Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Mineral notes of flint and ash, earth and nice big bag of X-mas spice. Fruit of cassis, black currant and brambleberry confit. A peppery kick rounds off the bouquet. The palate adds leathery and tobacco notes. Tannins have molten away completely leaving nice and fresh acidity and great tension. Just a tiny bit of heat as the only point of critic really. This is a pretty complete wine that preserved nice muscle while offering the charm of age.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Aging notes such as earth, dried leaves and mushrooms surround a dark berry fruit of cherry and black currant. Some spice and dried herbs add to appeal. But the palate lost a bit structure with acidity the prevailing feature. Still solid, but hinging entirely on the nose for pleasure.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Limited expression and rather low intensity here. Ripe, borderline candid fruit of dark berries with tertiary notes and a bit of Asian spice mushed into the mix, but lacking definition and direction. The palate did add a nice tobacco feature, but the structure has disappeared leaving only acidity.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Sweet berry fruit, leather and wet, turf-like earth. While this started sweet and sexy with strawberry candy notes, with time in the glass some soy notes started to emerge. The palate, however, still with a firm structure, tangible tannin and a long and leathery finish.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This had a Port-like character with notes of beef juice and cellar must that proved quite distracting. The palate also felt rather cooked, out of balance with lingering, green and coarse tannin. This was still intact and drinkable, but barely so and definitely no pleasure.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Intense with on balance a more red berry type of fruit, a thick layer of iron-like minerality and smoke. The palate was still in pretty good balance with a long and smoky finish and engaging tension. This was one of the best performers in this tasting, but the Beaulieu Georges de Latour Private Reserve next to it was even better.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Mineral and herbal with sweet yet cool blue and red berry fruit, smoke, cigar box and herbal layers. The palate was well-balanced with both horizontal tension and vertical depth. Good length finish, soft texture despite the still noticeable tannin. Incredibly present and alive while fully approachable. One of the top wines in this tasting.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This was one of the most concentrated wines in the line-up with ripe and extracted fruit of red cherry, darker berries of cassis. Also features of eucalyptus which transform into a medicinal touch after a while and licorice. An incredibly youthful palate with structure, depth and plenty of fruit. A long distance runner if ever there was one!

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Concentrated and intense nose boasting ripe, sweet and juicy fruit, chocolate as well as herbal layers of eucalyptus and mint. The palate is fresh and young, but slightly off-balance and not quite refined enough.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Aging notes fanned out into earth, leather and sous-bois with a dark, partially dried berry fruit core. Adding layer after layer of sweet spice, seasoning, eucalyptus, black chocolate, caramel and black tea. The palate was juicy, added tobacco and more leather, convincing tension and a nice length to it. Absolutely fantastic how this has aged, easily putting the Insignia with its volatile acidity next to it to shame.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Dominant notes of nail polish left an overly alcoholic impression. The fruit was mostly red cherry, but not much else there. Maybe a result of volatile acidity as ventured by a MW co-hosting the tasting? Searing acidity made this barely drinkable. That said, this did improve somewhat with aeration, opening up a bit more space for fruit and herbal aromas, but the vinegar-type of flavor profile remained omnipresent.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Elements of beef juice, but also some fruit left as well as herbs. The palate had nothing really exciting on offer, hardly worth writing about. At least that was the first impression. With some time and air this turned around, revealing nice, mixed forest berries as well as spice and herbs. But while more pristine now, this still fails to impress and leagues below the Martha’s Vineyard 1978.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This showed its signature features right form the onset with plenty of fresh eucalyptus notes, on balance more red berry type of fruit of red currant and mineral layers. The palate mostly holds up to expectations, showcasing tannic strength, fresh acidity and adding tobacco and leather to the finish. Finely structured and soft, but the harmony left wanting somewhat. This is quite consistent with a Magnum I had in 2020 and in much better shape than another Magnum in 2021 which was end of life.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
From Double-Magnum. Ripe and concentrated fruit of black currant and blueberries, bitter chocolate, licorice and gingerbread, pepper, smoke as well as gamey elements. The palate came across youthful and fresh with acidity and tannin dancing back and forth. Unfortunately, the palate can’t quite match the layered dimensions in the nose.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This was Port-like and alcoholic with a distinctly dark character. Dark cherry, dried plum and fig, old leather, loads of tobacco and cold smoke. The palate was high octane with plenty of structure and adding even more tobacco flavors.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This was a bomb - intense with ripe dark and red berry fruit and a thick layer of herbal paste, spearmint, tobacco and ash. Softly textured with a smooth feel to it even if the tannins still had a pretty firm grip. A more rudimentary version of the Reserve.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Quite similar to the Similar Cab Sauv, but in a less show-off way and more refined. Ripe berry fruit and herbal complexity of mint and nettles. The palate was equally smooth, but more delicate with a softer tannic structure.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Dark cherry and dried fig with a splash of Williams, mineral and leathery, dried herbs and also a bit of heat. The palate was pretty mature and well past its peak, no longer to able balance the searing acidity. While technically still intact, with felt lifeless.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Ripe dark berry fruit, extracted but in a good way which added a jam-like character. Elements of black olives, lots of eucalyptus, fine oak notes and sweet spices of vanilla. The palate was dense, juicy and felt utterly youthful with a ton of power that felt somewhat out of proportion.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
From a quite unusually sized 4.5l bottle (Rehoboam). This was a polished and almost aristocratic wine. Concentrated ripe dark berry fruit of black currant, leather, licorice, elements of meat and dried herbs. The palate was juicy with a powerful structure and perfectly integrated tannin. A pleasure to drink for even the WOTN for some in the group – but for me this lacked the precision for a 95+ score.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This got off to a great start with beautiful base layers of sous-bois, tobacco and leather. Piercing thorough all of this were fresh and intense fruits of red and black currant. Unfortunately, rather thin palate, lacking the structure to carry it.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Unfortunately tainted by cork, hard to discern anything beyond the cardboard notes.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
And intense and extracted wine with ripe dark berry fruit, elements of menthol adding a medicinal touch, black chocolate and whiffs of spice. The palate impressed with amazing tension, great acidity and soft tannin. Really solid and could have been even better with a more refined nose.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Extracted ripe fruit, only hints of aging notes, a bit of eucalyptus or mint. Almost Rum-like features to be found here. A well-balanced and well-structured palate with a youthful feel to it. Simple but solid.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
A more red currant type of fruit, notably less extracted than the Stags Leap Cab Sauv, fine layers of seasoning, dried herbs and chocolate. The acidity woven nicely into the strucutre. Good, but fails to leave a lasting impression really.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
This felt aged past its peak and even a bit tired with some beef juice type notes, but luckily there was still hints of pleasant fruit aromas shining through. But the palate then clearly plagued by fatigue. A completely different wine from the Rehoboam (4.5l) which we had next to it with the latter fully alive and kicking.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Candid fruit of fig, green grapes, fine dark forest honey along with fresher grassy notes. Dense and viscous, almost syrup-like palate (as was the color, by the way). Still sufficiently sweet on the palate at first, but already started to lean towards too much acidity.

Grand tasting of 1978 California wines, mostly from Napa. Main takeaways: i/ surprisingly high quality on average for wines that were not intended for such long-term aging with plenty of primary fruit left, ii/ but within the detail nonetheless a broad range with the worst few suffering from clear signs of fatigue while the best showed hardly age, iii/ top wines were Phelps Cab Sauv (97), Firestone Cab Sauv (95), and Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve (95). Full list sorted by score included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Initially some cardboard notes which we weren’t sure was cork taint or just cellar must – but this appeared to dissipate hence probably the latter. Candid apricot, toffee, caramel and hints of mint. The palate had an unexpectedly creamy texture for a short while, but this couldn’t fend off the onslaught of aggressive acidity. This paled (literally) in comparison to the Phelps Johannisberg late harvest next to it.