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Lafite Rothschild 1978

Pauillac, First Growth

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Tasting Notes

This has a warmer, more inviting nose than the previous wine, with perhaps a little more Merlot evident? There are scents of decayed red-berried fruits with cedar and a touch of hot bricks and together they make a compelling bouquet. Certainly this has impressive definition and clarity. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy entry, well-judged acidity and very natural in style. Elegant and feminine with supple, red-berried fruits, cranberry and a touch of bitter chocolate towards the finish. This has matured very well and is a beautiful, classic Lafite. Drink now-2018. Tasted September 2008.

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2018 01 January 2009

Very aromatic and lively and fresh. Quite light. 'Rather an old-fashioned wine, slightly 19th century. The only advantage it had was its acidity. It offers no resistance in any way to being drunk.' Baron Eric de Rothschild. The last of three very different expressions of Cabernet/Merlot. There would have been a logic to serving them the other way round.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 1995-2010 22 September 2008

This wine is distinctively herbaceous and cedary, with surprisingly high acidity, and aggressive tannin in the finish. Its medium garnet color and smoky, roasted herb-scented nose are followed by a wine with good fruit on the attack, but an angular, sharp finish. The wine appears to be closer to full maturity than its younger sibling, the 1979. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted 10/97

Score: 87

Robert Parker, 'Bordeaux' 3rd Ed. Maturity: 1997-2010 01 January 1998

Beautiful deep-garnet color, with classic Médoc flavors of plum, spice, earth and mineral. Tannic, well-balanced, mouth-filling, chewy in its intensity but needs time. Drinkable now, but probably better to wait until about 1998.--Lafite Rothschild vertical.

Score: 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 30 November 1991

Beautiful deep-garnet color, with classic Médoc flavors of plum, spice, earth and mineral. Tannic, well-balanced, mouth-filling, chewy in its intensity but needs time.

Score: 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 30 November 1991