Fine boned and sleek. Rich and fresh. Long and energetic.

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One of the top ten wines of the vintage, the glorious 1978 is a candidate for "the" wine of the vintage. Seemingly fully mature (it is more evolved than the 1975), it exhibits a dark garnet color with little lightening at the edge as well as a classic La Mission bouquet of truffles, charcoal, scorched earth, black currants, plums, figs and crushed rocks. A sweet, medium to full-bodied entry on the palate reveals totally resolved tannins, adequate acidity and uncanny richness, complexity, texture and length. This surprisingly dense, concentrated, velvety La Mission-Haut-Brion displays all the complexity of this great terroir. At the peak of its evolutionary track, it is in no danger of falling apart, but prudence suggests drinking it over the next 15-20 years.

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The 1978 La Mission-Haut-Brion is a strong candidate for the wine of the vintage. It is deep ruby/purple-colored with no signs of evolution. The wine is much more backward than Haut-Brion. It is intensely fragrant, displaying a supple, smooth, velvety texture, and well-developed, rich, cassis, gravel, and smoky scents and flavors. It is very full bodied, rich, and supple. This layered, concentrated wine can be drunk now, but promises to be even better with additional bottle age.

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A classic Graves red, with all the aromas and flavors you could ever want. Deep ruby in color, with earthy tobacco aromas. Has full-bodied, earthy flavors, full tannins and a well-focused finish.

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Decanted 2 hours before meal. Still very tannic. Nose reticent, unlike previous bottles. Still too young ! The other 6 bottles will be kept for another 5 years at least !