Vecchio Maniero, 1971 Red Wine

Description

1971 Vecchio Maniero Nebbiolo

Overview: Produced from the noble Nebbiolo grape and originating from the highly regarded 1971 vintage, this mature Piedmontese red reflects the traditional style of an era when wines were crafted for longevity and bottle development. After more than five decades of ageing, it offers a fascinating expression of mature Nebbiolo, displaying the savoury complexity, aromatic nuance and elegance that have made the variety one of Italy's most revered.

Appearance: Brick-garnet in colour with tawny-orange highlights at the rim, showing graceful maturity and extensive bottle age.

Nose: Beautifully evolved and aromatic, revealing classic notes of dried rose petals, sour cherry and redcurrant layered with leather, tobacco leaf and forest floor. With aeration, further nuances of truffle, cedarwood, dried herbs and warm spice emerge, adding depth and complexity.

Palate: Elegant and harmonious, with softened tannins and Nebbiolo's characteristic acidity providing freshness and structure. Flavours of dried cherry, stewed red fruits and savoury earth unfold alongside notes of leather, tea leaf, balsamic and subtle spice. Fully mature yet remarkably poised, the wine balances tertiary complexity with lingering fruit character.

Finish: Long, refined and contemplative, lingering through dried flowers, tobacco, earthy spice and delicate truffle notes.

Decanting: Stand upright for 2–3 days to allow sediment to settle. Decant carefully through a fine strainer and aerate 1–2 hours before serving at 16–18°C. Fragile corks are common; strain any fragments during decanting.

About the Producer: Vecchio Maniero reflects the traditional winemaking culture of Piedmont, where Nebbiolo's natural structure and acidity allowed wines to evolve gracefully over decades. Mature examples such as this offer a rare glimpse into the classic style of Italian winemaking from the early 1970s.

Condition

Good conditions