A classic from a challenging yet ultimately rewarding vintage, the 1978 Château Palmer has matured into a beautifully refined and expressive Margaux. Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (53%) with 40% Merlot, it offers an “old school” charm with aromas of cedar, cigar box, and sous-bois layered over fading black fruits. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant, and balanced, with fine spice and lingering freshness. Once firm and austere in youth, time has revealed its supple texture and graceful complexity — a testament to Palmer’s enduring finesse and the vintage’s late-season miracle harvest.

The Wine Advocate | RP 92
Published: May 30, 2016
Drink: 2016-2025

Tasted at the Château Palmer vertical in London from magnum, the 1978 Château Palmer has always been a great success for the vintage (mirroring the rejuvenated Château Margaux perhaps?). Here, it has a powerful, expressive nose with cedar, sous-bois and cigar-box scents interwoven into the vestiges of black fruit. This is "old school," perhaps the cousin of the magnificent 1966. The palate is medium-bodied and well balanced, hints of spice and cedar, a little dustiness perhaps towards the finish, but overall a convincing Margaux that has far more vigor and length than you would presume. While it is not a renowned vintage for Château Palmer, it's a wine I would jump upon if I found it for sale. Tasted May 2015.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 19
Published: Dec 21, 2022
Drink: 1990-2030

This fully mature wine was absolutely glorious. Served blind alongside Hermitage La Chapelle from the same vintage, it was rounder and much more luscious. Tannins had completely disappeared, leaving wonderfully sweet, round, fully mature fruit and just the slightest suggestion of something charred on the finish. Excellent freshness as well as all that Merlot, presumably saved by the fine September. Michael Broadbent, in his Vintage Wine, calls this 'A lovely wine and a very good 1978'.

Chateau-palmer.com

Alongside 1975, the other fine vintage from the 1970s – and a very late one at that. Underpinned by the strong presence of Cabernets during the assemblage, Château Palmer 1978 needed time to let its sternness mellow and reveal its true character.

The year began with a cold winter. After a mixed March, the vines began to grow around the 27th. In early April, the weather was sunny but the nights were very cool and the vines struggled to make any progress. On the night of the 16th, the vineyards were hit by frost – particularly the Merlot. Vegetative growth was now almost two weeks behind schedule. May and June were cold and rainy, causing a further delay in vine growth. The vines reached full flowering on 19 June.

While temperatures in June were the lowest in 30 years, the vines resisted. Nature is unpredictable, after all! The following two months were very average, maintaining the delay in growth and leading to a late harvest. Veraison began around 15 August. After some rain in early September, a high-pressure system set in and lasted until mid-November. These conditions saved the vintage. The harvest began on 9 October in summer-like weather.

The grapes were described as almost “miraculously” ripe, producing high alcohol levels and good acidity. The resulting wines are particularly refined and elegant, well-balanced and with good concentration. With Cabernets very present in the assemblage, Château Palmer 1978 needed time to lose its initially stern character. Today, it perfectly anchors the estate within the Médoc terroir, and will continue to deliver an excellent experience for many years to come.

Blend
Merlot 40%
Cabernet sauvignon 53%
Cabernet franc 5%
Petit verdot 2%

Harvest
From 9th to 19th october 1978