We opened this well-cared-for 1978 bottle with high hopes. I’d bought it at the winery when it was released and drunk another bottle or two when it was a decade old. It was bold and complex back then.
The cork was in excellent shape with a tight seal. Decanted with minimal sediment. The first nose was alcohol and grass. Allowed to breath for 20 minutes and tasted over the period of an hour. Unfortunately this wine showed its age. Tired tannins and pepper that failed to develop were all that was left. An old, faded photograph that didn’t capture the memories. We didn’t finish the bottle.
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A 40-Year Retrospective on 1978's (Los Olivos, CA): A highly enjoyable, easy to drink wine, with sweet red fruit, some leather and mushroom. What it lacked it complexity, it made up in easy drinking charm.
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Very ripe red. Nice plummy nose. Lots of sweetness in the finish. Nice wine but now past its peak. Still surprisingly fresh even after I tasted the second glass around 90min after the bottle was opened.
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Earthy aromas dominated by raisin. Some sweet fruit on the palate, so this was almost enjoyable to drink if it wasn't dominated by an Amarone-like flavor. Still holding on to some life, but not enough to be pleasurable to drink.
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Deep garnet red in color. Strong legs. Earth and mushroom on the nose. Ample dark fruit, some mint and eucalyptus on the palate. Very drinkable after 32 years. Purchased this bottle at auction and compared very favorably to the 1978 FA Napa Cabernet I drank after purchase from the winery last year. Drank with Beth at Wildfire Restaurant celebrating 32nd anniversary with an anniversary year wine.
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11/24/2018 - StantheLee wrote:
We opened this well-cared-for 1978 bottle with high hopes. I’d bought it at the winery when it was released and drunk another bottle or two when it was a decade old. It was bold and complex back then.
The cork was in excellent shape with a tight seal. Decanted with minimal sediment. The first nose was alcohol and grass. Allowed to breath for 20 minutes and tasted over the period of an hour. Unfortunately this wine showed its age. Tired tannins and pepper that failed to develop were all that was left. An old, faded photograph that didn’t capture the memories. We didn’t finish the bottle.
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11/15/2018 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 92 Points
A 40-Year Retrospective on 1978's (Los Olivos, CA): A highly enjoyable, easy to drink wine, with sweet red fruit, some leather and mushroom. What it lacked it complexity, it made up in easy drinking charm.
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7/10/2013 - Wine_lvr wrote: 91 Points
Very ripe red. Nice plummy nose. Lots of sweetness in the finish. Nice wine but now past its peak. Still surprisingly fresh even after I tasted the second glass around 90min after the bottle was opened.
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4/27/2013 - sdezutti wrote: 69 Points
Earthy aromas dominated by raisin. Some sweet fruit on the palate, so this was almost enjoyable to drink if it wasn't dominated by an Amarone-like flavor. Still holding on to some life, but not enough to be pleasurable to drink.
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7/15/2010 - wconnolly wrote: 91 Points
Deep garnet red in color. Strong legs. Earth and mushroom on the nose. Ample dark fruit, some mint and eucalyptus on the palate. Very drinkable after 32 years. Purchased this bottle at auction and compared very favorably to the 1978 FA Napa Cabernet I drank after purchase from the winery last year. Drank with Beth at Wildfire Restaurant celebrating 32nd anniversary with an anniversary year wine.
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