x

Food Pairing

Chinese style crispy duck pancakes.

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

Close

The Story

The Château Lafite estate run by the Rothschilds is, with its 100 hectares of cultivated land, the largest of the main Pauillac vineyards.

It is located in the highest part of the area and the view from its château, with its conical towers that appear on the label, takes in the banks of the River Gironde, which flows nearby. The wines are a blend of four different varieties of grape – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Verdot and Cabernet F...

Close

Vintage 1978

Bordeaux Vintage Report / 1978 turned out to be a very good vintage particularly in Pauillac and St Julien.

“The miracle vintage”. Just about everything that could go wrong went wrong until mid-August. But thanks to the beautiful sun and the heat from that moment on, the vintage was saved. The best wines come from Médoc and Graves. Château La Mission Haut Brion produces the wine of the vintage. I had very good bottles of Châteaux Margaux, L...

Close

Average Bottle Price

2025 2020 2017 2015 2014 2012 2010 2005 2000 1995
511€ +13.6% 450€ +9.5% 411€ +12.3% 366€ -13.1% 421€ -2.5% 432€ -21.9% 553€ +312.7% 134€ +50.6% 89€ +64.8% 54€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Latest Pro-tasting notes

<10 tasting notes

Tasting note

Be the first one to make a 20s tasting note!

Written Notes

Château Lafite Rothschild 1978 (Magnum) – Pauillac, Bordeaux

The 1978 vintage in Bordeaux was modest overall, shaped by a cool summer and improved only by a fine September that saved the harvest. The wines often showed leaner structures and more restraint compared to the opulent years that followed. In magnum format, Lafite’s 1978 has retained freshness and poise, offering a graceful glimpse of its classical style.

The bouquet is delicate and evolved, with notes of redcurrant, dried cherry, and cranberry intertwined with cedar, graphite, tobacco leaf, leather, and subtle forest floor. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and elegant, with light fruit carried by resolved tannins and lifted by refreshing acidity. The wine emphasizes finesse and minerality over depth, true to the character of the year.

The finish is soft and persistent, echoing cedar, dried fruit, and earth. While not among Lafite’s most powerful vintages, the 1978 in magnum offers a refined and quietly satisfying claret experience—classic, understated, and charming. 91 points.


  • 91p
Load more notes

Information

Origin

Pauillac, Bordeaux

Vintage Quality

Below Average

Value For Money

Poor

Investment potential

No Potential

Fake factory

None

Glass time

45min
Incorrect Information
If you found some information that is wrong, let us know
Are you sure you want do delete this wine? All information will be lost.
Are you sure you want to recommend this wine?
Are you sure you want hide this written note ?
Are you sure you want show this written note ?
UPGRADE MEMBER PLAN
Upgrade your membership now, it's quick and easy. We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards. Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal. You can cancel your membership at any time.
Thank you for your support!
 

Member

 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

 

Insight Member

 

HOW TO USE TASTINGBOOK?

We recommend you to share few minutes for watching the following video instructions of how to use the Tastingbook. This can provide you a comprehensive understanding of all the features you can find from this unique service platform.

This video will help you get started



Taste wines with the Tastingbook


Create Your wine cellar on 'My Wines'



Explore Your tasted wines library



Administrate Your wine world in Your Profile



Type a message ...
Register to Tastingbook
Sign up now, it's quick and easy.
We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards.
Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal, where you can sign up for a free 7-day trial period. You can cancel your membership at any time. We wish you a rewarding journey to the world of Fine Wines.

Free 7 days Member trial

 

Member

 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

Insight Member

Please accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Please select a member plan.
  Register