1978 La Mission Haut-Brion, Graves

I am blown away by the intense iodine and dark fruits and roses on the nose. Full-bodied with very clear and bright fruit. Stoney. Superb quality.

Arguably the wine of the vintage, the 1978 La Mission Haut-Brion continues to drink brilliantly, offering up a rich bouquet of blackberries, licorice, dried figs and burning embers, followed by a full-bodied, broad and layered palate that's rich, textural and multidimensional, framed by ripe acids and sweet, powdery tannins. Deep and sapid, it concludes with a long, resonant finish. The 1978 La Mission remains impressively youthful today and is far from exhibiting any sign of decline. (WK)