Subscribe to our newsletter for latest offers and get 5% off of your order

1981 Wine and Port Vintage

Italian: The good 1981 Italian vintage produced a large crop of consistent wines. The best examples from Tuscany and Piedmont are now at their peak of their maturity, and will offer a good drinking experience.
 
Bordeaux:


1981-wine-gifts
1981 was a very good vintage for Bordeaux wines that was overlooked in favour of the outstanding 1982 Vinatge. Although July was cool, the fruit ripened well through a warm and dry August and September. The harvest began under good conditions in the very last days of September but was hampered by rain in the first two weeks of October, leading to a dilution of the grape juice. Nevertheless, reliable chateaux still managed to fashion some stylish, classic wines, with medium body and good structure. These would make a great 42 year old wine gift for a birthday or anniversary.
 
Portugal: No vintage port was made in 1981. Our recommendation would be for a 1981 Colheita port from 1981. Kopke are renowned for their colheita and this would make a wonderful gift for a 42 year old Birthday or Anniversary this year.
 
Spain: 1981 was considered one of the great vintages for Rioja, and this wine is at its peak of maturity.
 
This Year in History: Fun Fact: "Little Miss Bossy", the first book in the Little Miss series (the female counterpart to the Mr. Men series) is first published.
Eurovision Winner: UNITED KINGDOM with "Making your Mind Up" by Bucks Fizz
Born in this Year: Zara Phillips, Princess, Second-eldest grandchild of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, daughter of Princess Anne who is known for her professional equestrian talents. She won a Silver Medal at the London 2012 Olympic as a part of the British equestrian team.
Top Grossing Movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark

Buy with confidence

All of our wine gifts are available for immediate delivery from our own cellars. Your gift is backed up by our 5-star Trusted shops customer service rating.
  • Free standard UK delivery for orders over £100
  • Free tasting notes and personal message (add at the checkout)
  • Three month replacement guarantee
  • Choice of Gift Boxes
  • Winner 2022, 2021 and 2019 IWC UK Fortified Wine Merchant of the Year
  • Winner Decanter 2022 and 2020 Fortified and Sweet WIne Retailer of the Year
  • 5 Star Trusted Shops Rating

32 products found.

Ryst Dupeyron Armagnac, 1981

Ryst Dupeyron Reserve Joseph Millesime vintage Armagnac
50cl bottle
Includes original orange colour cardboard gift box

This Armagnac Réserve Joseph vintage 1981 with an amber color will be chocolate in the mouth. Its pastry aromas will reveal themselves magnificently in a balloon glass heated in the palm of your hand. It is a full-bodied eau de vie to enjoy as a digestive.

The 1981 Dupeyron Armagnac is the expression of a single year and has a unique character associated with the year and the cask in which it has been stored. These vintages are bottled at the alcohol level in which they naturally come out of the cask. There is a wonderful contrast between the sweet and sour flavours of wood, amplified by the strong alcoholic degree.
more >>>

Price: $114.01 USD
Stock: 6 in Stock

Go to Product details

D'Oliveiras Madeira, 1981

Sercial Madeira

Raisins, plums, walnuts and a hint of prunes in this wonderful Madeira. The scent fills the room as soon as it is open. Pouring it into the glass you notice the crystal clear golden brown color with hints of red. You swirl and smell, noticing the raisins and the walnuts. You take a sip, the flavors of raisins and plums fills the front of your mouth, not too sweet. You swish and swallow, the walnuts taking over in the back of the mouth. The taste lingers…
more >>>

Price: $203.69 USD
Stock: 14 in Stock

Go to Product details

Barbaresco, 1981

Giovanni Scanavino

Barbaresco is one of the great wines of Italy's north-western Piedmont region. This aristocratic red has its vineyards situated in the Langhe, on the right-hand side of the Tanaro river and extending from the area north-east of Alba to the communes of Barbaresco, Nieve and Treiso. The dominant variety grown is Nebbiolo, but Dolcetto and Barbera also play a part. The vines are generally grown on limestone-rich marl soils. similar to the Tortonium soils of the Barolo and La Morra areas in Barolo. Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo and shares its cult status as one of the finest wines in the world.
more >>>

Price: $165.26 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details

Barolo, 1981

Bersano, Piedmont

Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
more >>>

Price: $190.88 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details

Barolo, 1981

Conterno Fantino, Piedmont

Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
more >>>

Price: $216.50 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details

Barolo, 1981

Giordano, Piedmont

Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
more >>>

Price: $216.50 USD
Stock: 8 in Stock

Go to Product details

Barolo, 1981

Poderi Scanavino, Piedmont

Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
more >>>

Price: $203.69 USD
Stock: 3 in Stock

Go to Product details

Blandys, 1981

Malmsey Madeira 75cl BOTTLE

For 200 years, Blandy’s Madeira has been synonymous with quality Madeira wine. The Blandy’s are unique in being the only family of all the original founders of the Madeira wine trade to still own and manage their own original wine company. The family has played a leading role in the development of Madeira wine throughout its long history and members of the family continue to live on Madeira, maintaining a tradition that goes back to 1811.

Reviews
The 1981 Malmsey Madeira from Blandy's is deep amber-red in colour; lifted, toasted and singed on the nose, really rather wonderful, this sings from the glass;
more >>>

Price: $254.93 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details

Blandys, 1981

Malmsey Madeira
Half Bottle
In Gift Box

For 200 years, Blandy’s Madeira has been synonymous with quality Madeira wine. The Blandy’s are unique in being the only family of all the original founders of the Madeira wine trade to still own and manage their own original wine company. The family has played a leading role in the development of Madeira wine throughout its long history and members of the family continue to live on Madeira, maintaining a tradition that goes back to 1811.

Reviews
The 1981 Malmsey Madeira by Blandy's is deep amber-red in colour; lifted, toasted and singed on the nose, really rather wonderful, this sings from the glass;
more >>>

Price: $165.26 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details

Brunello di Montalcino, 1981

Mastroiani

Brunello de Montalcino is one of Italys most famous and most expensive red wines. It is produced in the vineyards surrounding the town of Montalcino located about 70 miles (110 km) southwest of Florence in the Tuscany wine region. Brunello, roughly translated as "nice dark one" is the unofficial name of the clone of Sangiovese used in production.
more >>>

Price: $190.88 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details

Brunello di Montalcino, 1981

Orazio Bagnasco

Brunello de Montalcino is one of Italys most famous and most expensive red wines. It is produced in the vineyards surrounding the town of Montalcino located about 70 miles (110 km) southwest of Florence in the Tuscany wine region. Brunello, roughly translated as "nice dark one" is the unofficial name of the clone of Sangiovese used in production.
more >>>

Price: $203.69 USD
Stock: 9 in Stock

Go to Product details

Chateau Bel-Air Lagrave, 1981

Moulis en-medoc
Magnum 1.5L

The Seguin-Bacquey family have owned this nine-hectare Moulis property for over 150 years. The vineyard is planted with 60% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot and 5% petit verdot. The wine spends 18-20 months in oak, between 35% and 50% of which is new.
more >>>

Price: $126.83 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details

Chateau Branaire-Ducru, 1981

Sale

St Julien, 4th Growth Classification
Special Offer | was £129 | Now £89

The 1981 Branaire is quite forward, precociously supple, and fruity. The bouquet is showing expansive, complex, chocolatey, cedary components.

more >>>

Price: $114.01 USD
Stock: 11 in Stock

Go to Product details

Chateau Clarke, 1981

Listrac Cru Bourgeois

The 1981 Chateau Clarke Stoic and firm in character, the nose, with its tobacco, wet earth, spice, cassis and cherry aromatics are the best part of the wine. There is an austerity on the palate that will definitely appeal to lovers of older classic wine.

Château Clarke is a wine property of Bordeaux of 54 hectares (130 acres) based in the Listrac-Médoc AOC and classified as Cru Bourgeois. The vineyard is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon (48%), Merlot (42%), Cabernet Franc (8%), and Petit Verdot (2%), planted on a limestone ground calcareous eocene and calcareous clay (spacing: 6060 vines/ha).
more >>>

Price: $102.42 USD
Stock: 4 in Stock

Go to Product details

Chateau Cos d'Estournel, 1981

St Estephe, 2nd Growth Classification

The 1981 Cos d'Estournel is a deep ruby colour, with a spicy, rich, briery, tightly knit bouquet, this wine is deeper and more promising than the 1983, but relatively light, compact, and lean.

more >>>

Price: $165.26 USD
Stock: 2 in Stock

Go to Product details

Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou, 1981

St Julien, 2eme Growth Classification

The 1981 Ducru Beaucailiou has a very intense red; nose of berries, nice claret bouquet; good fruit on the palate, broad; initially quite green - not a great vintage but quite acceptable
more >>>

Price: $190.88 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details

Chateau Leoville Poyferre, 1981

St Julien 2me Growth Classification

A deep tawny rim with a mahogany core. This has a delightful nose, very good intensity with notes of cooked meats, roasted chestnut, toffee and a touch of marzipan. It smells as if it is from a hot vintage! After five minutes in the glass, it become a little muffled but develops a touch of mint. The palate certainly has more fruit concentration than the 1980, a rounded texture, quite sharp acidity with notes of sour cherry, a touch of leather and a dry, rather gamey, but attenuated finish. Not bad for a 1981
more >>>

Price: $211.38 USD
Stock: 6 in Stock

Go to Product details

Chateau Mouton Rothschild, 1981

Paulliac 1er Cru Grand Classe
Top shoulder level

Arman label. From the good 1981 vintage, this lovely red wine has a spicy bouquet and a crisp fruity flavour with a long smooth finish.

Château Mouton-Rothschild’s exceptionally fine wine comes from the best vines on the ‘Plateau de Mouton’ that makes up 90 hectares of the property. In these vineyards, the roots push deep into gravelly soil. Since we’re in Pauillac, Cabernet Sauvignon is the grape that dominates the blend. Depending on the vintage, this can be up to 80%, and is completed by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The grapes are picked by hand and, once destemmed, are put into vats.
more >>>

Price: $570.07 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details

Chianti, 1981

Fattoria Pieve a Pitiana

Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
more >>>

Price: $88.39 USD
Stock: 6 in Stock

Go to Product details

Chianti Classico, 1981

Pian d'Albola MAGNUM 1.5L

Tuscan wine (Italian Toscana) is Italian wine from the Tuscany region. Located in central Italy along the Tyrrhenian coast, Tuscany is home to some of the world's most notable wine regions. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

more >>>

Price: $165.26 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details

Domaine de Chevalier, 1981

Graves Pessac-Leogan
Double Magnum (3L)

Excellent complex nose, medium to high intensity, red bell pepper, roasted vegetables, earth and cherry fruit; a full bodied wine with some minerality, excellent fresh acidity and ripe red fruit. Ready to drink now.
more >>>

Price: $762.23 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details

Franciacorta, 1981

Cornaleto - Luigi Lancini

Franciacorta is a wine from the Province of Brescia (Lombardy) with DOCG status produced from grapes grown within the boundaries of the territory of Franciacorta, on the hills located between the southern shore of Lake Iseo and the city of Brescia. It was awarded DOC status in 1967, the designation then also including red and white still wines.
more >>>

Price: $88.39 USD
Stock: 2 in Stock

Go to Product details

Madeira, 1981

di Savorgnana, Podere del Sole

Very forward nose of leather and cherries, liquorice wild strawberries, ripe plums and pencil .The palate is very nice balance of sweet fruit and acidity
more >>>

Price: $75.58 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details

Montepulciano, 1981

d'Abruzzo, Valle d'Oro Tollo

Montepulciano is a red wine grape variety grown widely in central Italy, most notably its eastern Abruzzo, Marche and Molise regions. The variety was named after the Tuscan parish of Montepulciano, but, confusingly, is not used in the famous wines produced there (see Vino Nobile di Montepulciano). Globally appreciated for their soft flavors, strong color and gentle tannins, Montepulciano wines are typically best consumed in their youth and with food. The deep-purple juice of Montepulciano grapes is used in varying proportions to produce wines under roughly 50 of Italy's DOC and DOCG titles. Although sometimes used on its own,
more >>>

Price: $88.39 USD
Stock: 14 in Stock

Go to Product details

Refosco, 1981

del Penducolo, Fantinel

Refosco is a very old Italian family of dark-skinned grape varieties native to the northern Italian and neighbouring areas of Friuli, Gavi, Trentino,Istria, and Karst Plateau.It is considered autochthonous in these regions. The wines this grape yields can be quite powerful and tannic, with a deep violet color and a slight bitterness. On the palate, there are strong currant, wild berry and plum flavors. The wine can stand some aging.
more >>>

Price: $75.58 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock

Go to Product details