The 1978 vintage remains in Burgundy a legendary year, celebrated as the miracle vintage: a cool, grey summer was saved in extremis by a radiant, dry autumn (September and October) that brought a small harvest to perfect ripeness. The reds (Pinot Noir) are its defining figures: concentrated, structured and profound, of accomplished classicism and destined for great aging, with outstanding successes in the Côte de Nuits (Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Chambolle-Musigny, Morey-Saint-Denis). The whites (Chardonnay) are equally brilliant, rich and balanced, from Meursault to Puligny-Montrachet and Chablis. The aging potential was considerable. Today, the great reds offer a splendid maturity, the finest still retaining reserves. Between the modest 1977 and the abundant 1979, the 1978 ranks among the very greatest years of the decade, alongside 1971.