1978 vs 1979 Red Burgundy

[J Cangiano]

So there’s aN UPCOMING TASTING/SALE in my neighborhood and there’s lots of sales on all the 78s and 79s, I figured I would purchase a couple bottles. Just really wanted to get all y’all’s opinion since I’ve never heard of any of these bottles.
See below.
Thanks!
1978 G. Prieur Savigny Les Beaune

Price: $105.00 Sale Price: $85.00 Quantity in Stock: 4


1978 Rebourgeon Mure Beaune

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 2


1978 Chanson Beaune Clos Des Feves

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 13


1978 Prieur Brunet Santenay Maladiere 1er Cru

Price: $105.00 Sale Price: $85.00 Quantity in Stock: 2


1978 Domaine Emile Voarick Mercurey

Price: $79.00 Sale Price: $65.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1978 Hospices de Beaune Pommard Cuvee Billardet

Price: $230.00 Sale Price: $185.00 Quantity in Stock: 3


1978 Roland Remoissenet Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru

Price: $575.00 Sale Price: $460.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1978 Domaine Girardin Santenay Chateau de la Charriere

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1978 Domaines Jaboulet Vercherre Beaune Clos de L'Ecu

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 3


1978 Domain Marion Fixin Clos Du Chapitre

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1978 Domaine des Hautes Cornieres Santenay Commes

Price: $105.00 Sale Price: $85.00 Quantity in Stock: 14


1978 Moillard Bourgogne Rouge Confrerie Des Chevaliers Du Tastevin

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1978 Chanson Pere et Fils Beaune Cent Vignes

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 3


1978 Chanson Pere et Fils Beaune Clos Des Feves (6cm)

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $45.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1978 Stag's Leap Wine Cellar SLV Lot 2 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

Price: $350.00 Sale Price: $275.00 Quantity in Stock: 6


1978 Bouchard Pere et Fils Beune Greves L'Enfant Jesus MAGNUM

Price: $2925.00 Your Price: $2574.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1978 Domaine Jacques Prieur Volnay Santenots Volnay Premier Cru Low Fill

Price: $125.00 Sale Price: $59.00 Quantity in Stock: 2


1978 Hospices de Beaune Beaune Cuvee Dames Hospitalieres

Price: $230.00 Sale Price: $185.00 Quantity in Stock: 1





1979 De Belgraves Monthelie

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 4


1979 L. Laurence Santenay

Price: $75.00 Sale Price: $59.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Laboure Roi Aloxe Corton

Price: $69.00 Sale Price: $49.00 Quantity in Stock: 3


1979 Arthur Barolet Volnay

Price: $139.00 Sale Price: $119.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Antonin Rodet Beaune

Price: $75.00 Sale Price: $59.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Saint Luc Aloxe Corton

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 3


1979 Jaffelin Aloxe Corton

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 3


1979 Poulet Beaune 1er Cru (Low Fill)

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $49.00 Quantity in Stock: 3


1979 Faiveley Rully Rouge

Price: $79.00 Sale Price: $69.00 Quantity in Stock: 2


1979 Louis Chapuis Corton

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Poulet Aloxe Corton

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Arthur Barolet Fixin

Price: $75.00 Sale Price: $59.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Laboure Roi Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru

Price: $85.00 Sale Price: $69.00 Quantity in Stock: 6


1979 Dufouleur Fixin Clos De La Perriere

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 4


1979 Tollot Beaut Beaune Clos Du Roi

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 5


1979 Reine Pedauque Nuits St Georges

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $79.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Armand Noirot Morey St Denis

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 7


1979 Lionel Bruck Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru

Price: $145.00 Sale Price: $115.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Joseph Drouhin Savigny Les Beaune

Price: $75.00 Sale Price: $59.00 Quantity in Stock: 2


1979 Alexis Lichine Gevrey Chambertin

Price: $89.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 5


1979 Jean Boisselier Gevrey Chambertin

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 5


1979 Francois Martenot Chateauneuf Du Pape

Price: $59.00 Sale Price: $39.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Robert Arnoux Clos Vougeot

Price: $360.00 Sale Price: $299.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Philippe Thevenot Volnay Santenots

Price: $120.00 Sale Price: $99.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Arthur Barolet Gevrey Chambertin

Price: $149.00 Sale Price: $119.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Duroche Chambertin Clos De Beze

Price: $750.00 Sale Price: $595.00 Quantity in Stock: 2


1979 Jaboulet Vercherre Beaune 1er Cru Les Per Tuisots

Price: $135.00 Sale Price: $105.00 Quantity in Stock: 6

1979 Jean Claude Boisset Pommard

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 1

1979 Lucien Muzard Santenay La Maladiere

Price: $75.00 Sale Price: $59.00 Quantity in Stock: 2


1979 Domaine Mussy Beaune Epenottes

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Remy Gauthier Aloxe Corton

Price: $89.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 F. Protheau & Fils Aloxe Corton

Price: $89.00 Sale Price: $69.00 Quantity in Stock: 7


1979 Jean Maldant Aloxe Corton

Price: $79.00 Sale Price: $59.00 Quantity in Stock: 2


1979 Domaine de la Renarde Rully Rouge

Price: $75.00 Sale Price: $59.00 Quantity in Stock: 8


1979 Michel Clerget Chambolle Musigny

Price: $99.00 Sale Price: $79.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Domaine Huguenot Bourgogne Clos du Roy

Price: $49.00 Sale Price: $40.00 Quantity in Stock: 2


1979 Poulet Pere & Fils Beaune 1er Cru

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 3

1979 Domaine Des Hautes Chapelles Corton

Price: $139.00 Sale Price: $115.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Louis Latour Aloxe Corton Les Chaillots

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 7

1979 Viard Freres Bonnes Mares Grand Cru (5.5 cm)

Price: $195.00 Sale Price: $149.00 Quantity in Stock: 1

1979 Remoissenet Pere & Fils Renommee Bourgogne

Price: $79.00 Sale Price: $59.00 Quantity in Stock: 1

1979 Arthur Barolet et Fils Pommard Les Arvelets 1er Cru

Price: $145.00 Sale Price: $115.00 Quantity in Stock: 4

1979 Domaine Joseph Belland Santenay Commes 1er Cru

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 8

1979 Chateau Genot Boulanger Mercurey Les Sazenay

Price: $79.00 Sale Price: $65.00 Quantity in Stock: 7

1979 Chanson Pere et Fils Aloxe Corton

Price: $79.00 Sale Price: $69.00 Quantity in Stock: 12

1979 Chevalier Pere & Fils Corton Le Rognet

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 3

1979 Domaine Mussy Beaune Epenottes Low fill

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $59.00 Quantity in Stock: 1

1979 Arthur Barolet Nuits Saint Georges

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $79.00 Quantity in Stock: 4

1979 Domaine Marchand Grillot Gevrey Chambertin

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 1

1979 Chanson Pere & Fils Beaune Teurons

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 5

1979 Domaines Jaboulet Vercherre Beaune Clos De L'Ecu

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 6

1979 Jean Louis Laplanche Chateau De Pommard

Price: $120.00 Sale Price: $99.00 Quantity in Stock: 1

1979 Domaine De La Poulette Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Les Vaucrains

Price: $159.00 Sale Price: $125.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Domaine De La Poulette Nuits St Georges 1er Les Poulettes

Price: $159.00 Sale Price: $125.00 Quantity in Stock: 2


1979 Poulet Pere & Fils Santenay Clos de Malte

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 1


1979 Domaine Machard De Granmont Savigny Les Beaune Les Guettes 1er Cru

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00a Quantity in Stock: 3


1979 Philippe Leclerc Gevrey Chambertin Combe Aux Moines 1er Cru

Price: $149.00 Sale Price: $115.00 Quantity in Stock: 2


1979 Albert Morey Santenay Grand Clos Rousseau

Price: $85.00 Sale Price: $69.00 Quantity in Stock: 1

1979 Domaine Jaboulet Vercherre Pommard Clos de la Commaraine 1er Cru

Price: $125.00 Sale Price: $105.00 Quantity in Stock: 1

1979 Domaine F. Tortochet Gevrey Chambertin Les Jeunes Rois

Price: $95.00 Sale Price: $79.00 Quantity in Stock: 9

1979 Stag's Leap Wine Cellar SLV Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

Price: $269.00 Your Price: $236.72 Quantity in Stock: 9

1979 Louis Latour Clos de la Vigne au Saint Corton Grand Cru

Price: $149.00 Sale Price: $125.00 Quantity in Stock: 11

1979 Hospices de Beaune Volnay Santenots Cuvee Jehan de Massol Thorin

Price: $145.00 Sale Price: $115.00 Quantity in Stock: 5

1979 Hospices De Beaune Cuvee Maurice Drouhin Beaune

Price: $115.00 Sale Price: $95.00 Quantity in Stock: 5

1979 Domaine de la Poulette Nuits Saint Georges Les Saint Georges 1er Cru

Price: $160.00 Sale Price: $129.00 Quantity in Stock: 1

[Fred Bower]

What a fascinating opportunity. I had a very pleasant '72 Jaboulet-Vercherre Corton at Berns a few years ago so would consider the '78 as an option. I have never had a '79 from Burgundy so you might need to figure out if the vintage has character you'd value at this age. I think '78 does. The Hospices wines might be interesting if the elevage was reputable and the wood absorbed.

Cheers,
fred

[Dan Kravitz]

In general '78 is a much higher-rated vintage, but in the Cote de Beaune '79 is probably at least as good.

The '78 Santenay and Fixin seem like reasonable gambles.

The '79 Corton, Volnay and Santenay ditto.

Dan Kravitz

[Marshall Manning]

What a fascinating opportunity. I had a very pleasant '72 Jaboulet-Vercherre Corton at Berns a few years ago so would consider the '78 as an option. I have never had a '79 from Burgundy so you might need to figure out if the vintage has character you'd value at this age. I think '78 does. The Hospices wines might be interesting if the elevage was reputable and the wood absorbed.

Had a '76 Pommard Clos Commaraine about a year and a half ago that was also really good. Plus it had the old school metal fishnet wrap around it, so that gives an extra 2 points.

[alan weinberg]

last time I bought a bunch of old wines from where you are considering, they were all pretty tired and I think heat-affected. Look at the bottles first.

[Howard Cooper]

I liked Arnoux’s 1979s, but it has been a long time since I had any.

1978 was a great vintage in Burgundy, 1979 was a good one.

[Jay Miller]

Do you have the chance to buy one and try before buying more? Just to get a handle on how well they've been stored.

I've had very good Jaboulet Vercherres from the '70s though we all suspected they had been Hermitaged . I seem to remember being told that they were a negociant with some good fruit sources. But I haven't had one in years.

If it were me I'd also take a flyer on the '79 Tollot Beaut as my recollection is that they were also pretty good back then.

Sounds like a fun and potentially very enjoyable opportunity.

[David Kubiak]

Just seeing the name Jaboulet-Vercherre and thinking about those tacky wire encased bottles makes me shudder. In my memory those were the bad old negociant days. But others no doubt have had more experience.

[Jeremy Holmes]

Love '78's. Pricing seems fair. Had some very good '79's too. I'd plump for a few of these.

[William Kelley]

1979 can be as good as or better than 1978 in the Côte de Beaune! And in some cases in the CdN as well, though the two are very different in style.

It is a much more supple, enveloping, round, friendly, higher-yielding style of vintage than 1978, which was/is tightly wound, intense and penetrating, with higher acids and tannins. 1979s are also more fragile wines and best from cold cellars today.

Some of the producers in this list are more interesting than others. Etienne Poulet was a very good Beaune négociant so those might be worth a look. Arnoux and Tollot-Beaut both serious producers. And Louis Latour and the Hospices de Beaune in this era, too. The Lichine might be interesting as he bought from good sources, though he filtered the wine aggressively with a mobile bottling line. Mussy could be an insider choice. I would actively avoid Antonin Rodet and Arthur Barolet, nor would I seek out Jaboulet Vercherre.

[billnanson]

Agree with William - 79s rock, particularly from the Côte de Beaune - 78s can be great but I find them more variable. It's been like that for 20 years already.
That's the reds - if we talk whites I'd still jump for 79 but there's precious little difference with this length of ageing - my last 78 was a BP&F Pucelles and it was in a super shape...