At 13.6% alcohol, the 41 year-old 1978 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape  scored a gold 18+ points on the 20-point Dionysian scale.

It was school house reddish brick with an amber edge. There was spicy pepper and herbs with tobacco, and red fruit flavors still noted in the taste. 1978 was the  starting year for the north American Chapter of the Dionysian Society, International. The wine cost under $15 back then.  My last one.

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It was a Robert Haas Selection, always a good choice. When the Pope’s keys are on the glass bottle, you know you have the real thing.

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Served with petit rack of lamb and a color guide to show the shades of older wines. The 1978 could have gone another decade, but it is at peak and holding well

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Put some big reds away today for future drinking. In Vino Veritas.