1961 Wine and Port Vintage
Vintage Summary and Recommendations: Welcome to Vintage Wine and Port's 1961 wine page. Read on for our summary of the 1961 vintage, our top recommendations and region reports. Scroll down to see all of our wines currently available. If you cannot find what you are looking for please call us on 01425 837177 or Contact Us. We would love to help you with your wine choice!
The 1961 vintage enjoyed some extraordinary moments, particularly in France. For Bordeaux, the vintage was legendary with great wines produced in Pessac-Léognan, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Pomerol and – although less uniform – Margaux. However, as is often the case when conditions are ripe for perfect Bordeaux, the year was not so conducive for the sweet wines of Sauternes, and they tended to be more of a mixed bag. The year was also excellent for both Burgundy and Beaujolais, as well as Champagne, the Rhône and the Loire Valley. Although information is limited for Alsace, what does exist suggests it was very good. Outside of France, the vintages for both Piedmont and Tuscany were excellent and the best Barolo should still be drinking well now.
Our Wine Expert currently recommends the following wines for this year:
This Year in History: Fun Fact: The farthing coin, used since the thirteenth century, ceases to be legal tender in the United Kingdom.
Eurovision Winner: Luxembourg with the song "Nous Les Amoureux"
Top Grossing Movie: 101 Dalmations
Bordeaux: This is one of the legendary vintages of the century. Although most of the 1961 wines are now fading slowly, the top examples continue to shine through offering concentrated, ripe fruit with amazing bouquets. The crop was tiny and there are very few examples available. Provided the bottles have been stored correctly these wines should last for another few years. 1961 wines make and incredible 64 year old wine gift for a birthday or anniversary.
Italian: In Italy, 1961 is considered to be one of the greatest vintages of the 20th century. The wines from Piedmont (Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera) and Tuscany (Chianti, Brunello) are outstanding. Now fully mature these wines, with careful cellaring, will still keep for many years to come.
Portugal: While not generally a declared year, the hot weather produced some concentrated ports in 1961. The harvest started in extremely hot conditions at the river quinta in early September, progressing in other areas until the end of the month making it a long, drawn out vintage. The picking required a very rigorous selection which entailed picking out the burnt and imperfect grapes from the bunches before putting them in the baskets. This led to a small harvest, making bottles from this year quite rare. Making a great wine gift for any birthday or anniversary, the 1961 ports produced are still drinking well today.
Shop with Confidence
All of our premium wine gifts are available for fast, immediate delivery directly from our own cellars. With no minimum order required—buy just one bottle or as many as you like!
- Free UK standard delivery on all orders over £100
- Complimentary tasting notes and personalized gift messages—add yours at checkout
- Three-month replacement guarantee for complete peace of mind
- Choose from our exclusive range of luxury gift boxes
- Award-winning retailer: IWC Fortified Wine Merchant of the Year (2024, 2022, 2021)
- 5-Star Trusted Shops rating for exceptional customer satisfaction
39 products found.
Aglianico del Vulture, 1961
Riforma Fondiaria - Riserva
Aglianico del Vulture 1961 Riforma Fondiaria Riserva
Vintage & Background
1961 is considered a classic year in Italian wine history, particularly for Nebbiolo and similarly age-worthy grapes. Here, the Aglianico grape—the noble red of Southern Italy—is showing what decades in bottle can do when it comes from volcanic soil on the slopes of Monte Vulture. The “Riserva” designation and “Riforma Fondiaria” name suggest extra care, selection, and ageing; this is a wine made to be savoured with patience.
Appearance & Nose
Given its age, you can expect the wine to show a deep garnet centre, but with rim tones tending more toward tawny, russet, or mahogany. …
more >>>
Price: £89.95
Stock: 3 in Stock
Amarone della Valpolicella, 1961
Bertani
1961 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella
Vintage & Background
1961 is a well-celebrated Amarone vintage, and Bertani is one of the producers traditionally known for elevating the style with elegance, structure, and ageability. Amarone’s winemaking method, with partially dried grapes (appassimento), gives concentration of flavour, high alcohol, and the potential to age into something complex and beguiling.
Appearance & Nose
In the glass this Amarone shows a deep, strong ruby red colour, though now it may have begun to edge slightly toward garnet or brick around the rim with age. …
more >>>
Price: £295.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Barolo, 1961
Giovanni Pippione
1961 Giovanni Pippione Barolo
Vintage & Background
1961 is regarded as one of the landmark vintages of Barolo. Nebbiolo grapes that year benefitted from favourable conditions which allowed full ripeness while retaining good acidity. Giovanni Pippione, though less famous than some other Barolo houses, produced wines in this vintage that show strong ageing potential and a flavour profile true to Barolo tradition.
Appearance & Nose
Well-stored bottles display a colour that has softened from youthful crimson to garnet, often with tawny or brick hues on the rim. The nose yields heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry and strawberry. …
more >>>
Price: £195.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1961
Enrico Serafino Riserva
1961 Enrico Serafino Barolo Riserva
Vintage & Background
The 1961 vintage in Piedmont is well-regarded among Barolo lovers. Warm sun, good ripeness, and favourable autumn weather gave many of the wines from that year excellent ageing potential. Enrico Serafino, a traditional producer in Barolo, has used Nebbiolo in its Riserva to show off the best characteristics of the grape in a vintage that has developed well over time.
Appearance & Nose
In mature form, this wine often displays a tawny garnet colour at the edges, with a still-deep ruby centre (depending on how well it’s been stored). …
more >>>
Price: £189.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1961
Marchesi di Barolo
Marchesi di Barolo 1961 Barolo
Vintage & Background
1961 is widely considered one of the great Barolo vintages. Warm growing conditions and late harvest allowed Nebbiolo to ripen fully, giving wines with both structure and longevity. Marchesi di Barolo, known for traditional style, made wines in 1961 that have aged into elegance while retaining hallmark Barolo tension.
Appearance & Nose
The colour in bottles that have been well stored tends to be a garnet red, often with ruby tones still visible, especially toward the centre, and slightly more tawny or brick hues at the rim. …
more >>>
Price: £179.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Barolo, 1961
Pin Bologna - Riserva
Barolo DOCG 1961 “Pin Bologna” Riserva
Vintage & Background
1961 is widely acknowledged as one of the standout Barolo vintages of the 20th century. It saw conditions that allowed Nebbiolo to ripen fully, giving power, structure, and great ageing ability. The “Riserva” or reserve designation would imply longer ageing or special selection. The “Pin Bologna – Rocchetta Tanaro” label suggests a specific vineyard or cooperative origin in the Piedmont region.
Appearance & Nose
In a bottle stored well, expect a mature wine with a garnet centre and rim edging into tawny or brick-coloured hues. …
more >>>
Price: £169.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Carema, 1961
Troglia
Carema is a red winemaking zone and boasts the king of Italian red grapes, Nebbiolo, as its leading varietal. The wine must comprise 85% of this variety, the remainder made up of a maximum 15% of authorized Piedmont red grapes. Ageing requirements are 36 months, of which 24 must be in wood, while the riserva must spend an extra six months in oak. Carema is a small mountainous area neighboring the Aosta Valley in the far northern corner of Piedmont, in north-western Italy. This unique viticultural landscape is situated in the province of Turin and was awarded its DOC classification in 1967. Similar to the steep, …
more >>>
Price: £129.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau Canon, 1961
St Emilion
Upper Shoulder
One of the greatest vintages of the post-war period. This exceptional vintage has the peculiarity of producing a tiny crop of exceptional quality. Indeed, after spring frosts which cut the burden of the grapes by half, grapes of a perfect maturity and exceptional concentration are harvested in a hot and sunny climate.
Clean, brilliant deep ruby-brick with orange rim. Initial nose showed pleasant, complex cedar, plum, violets and leather, with addition of slight cigar box. palate concurrently shows more plummy fruit. The wine is full-bodied, with ample supple tannins and an extremely long finish. …
more >>>
Price: £650.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau Canon, 1961
St Emilion
Top Shoulder
One of the greatest vintages of the post-war period. This exceptional vintage has the peculiarity of producing a tiny crop of exceptional quality. Indeed, after spring frosts which cut the burden of the grapes by half, grapes of a perfect maturity and exceptional concentration are harvested in a hot and sunny climate.
Clean, brilliant deep ruby-brick with orange rim. Initial nose showed pleasant, complex cedar, plum, violets and leather, with addition of slight cigar box. palate concurrently shows more plummy fruit. The wine is full-bodied, with ample supple tannins and an extremely long finish. …
more >>>
Price: £750.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Canon, 1961
St Emilion
High Shoulder
One of the greatest vintages of the post-war period. This exceptional vintage has the peculiarity of producing a tiny crop of exceptional quality. Indeed, after spring frosts which cut the burden of the grapes by half, grapes of a perfect maturity and exceptional concentration are harvested in a hot and sunny climate.
Clean, brilliant deep ruby-brick with orange rim. Initial nose showed pleasant, complex cedar, plum, violets and leather, with addition of slight cigar box. palate concurrently shows more plummy fruit. The wine is full-bodied, with ample supple tannins and an extremely long finish. …
more >>>
Price: £500.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Doisy-Vedrines, 1961
Barsac
Sweet White Wine
Doisy-Védrines is the largest of the three Doisy vineyards in Barsac (the other two are Doisy-Daëne and Doisy-Dubroca) that started to achieve acclaim in the early 19th century and was named a Second Growth in the Classicfication of 1955. This is a vintage that produced hard, firm wines even in Sauternes, wines that required decades of cellaring.
more >>>
Price: £265.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Gazin, 1961
Pomerol
93 Points - Robert Parker
Upper Shoulder
The 1961 Chateau Gazin is an outstanding classic 'left bank Pomerol' from a legendary vintage. Cellar tracker revies give this 93 points. Nose: Classic Pomerol expressions of plum, damson, black cherry, leather, wood smoke, sweet berries and clay. A very engaging nose. Palate: Surprising vigor in the Black Plum, raspberry, ponzu and tobacco on the palate. Great density that has elements of mocha, toffee and spice in the plum fruit. Finish: Good length.
Château Gazin is a prestigious wine estate located in the Pomerol appellation of Bordeaux, France. With a history dating back several centuries, the estate is renowned for producing exceptional red wines. …
more >>>
Price: £449.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Chateau Gilette, 1961
Creme de Tete, Sauternes
The 1961 Chateau Gilette is a beautiful Sauternes dessert wine still has a wonderful golden colour. It tastes young and vibrant, with good acidity and finish.
Château Gilette is a Bordeaux wine estate located in the Sauternes appellation within the Bordeaux region of France. It is renowned for producing sweet white wines, particularly Sauternes, which are made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes affected by noble rot. Noble rot, or botrytis cinerea, is a beneficial fungus that concentrates the sugars and flavors in the grapes, resulting in luscious and complex sweet wines. …
more >>>
Price: £349.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Giscours, 1961
Margaux 3rd Growth Classification
The 1961 Château Giscours is a notable vintage from this esteemed Third Growth estate in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux. The 1961 vintage is often regarded as one of the finest in Bordeaux's history, producing wines with remarkable depth and longevity.
Tasting Notes:
Aroma: The bouquet reveals complex aromas of earth, forest floor, truffle, smoke, blackberry, cigar box, spice, and ash.
Palate: Full-bodied and concentrated, with flavors of black cherry, though some tasters have noted a tart cranberry sensation in the finish.
Critical Acclaim:
Vinous: Awarded 96 points, describing it as a hidden gem of the vintage, with a magnificent bouquet of blackberry, estuary mudflats, seaweed, and a hint of bay. …
more >>>
Price: £350.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 1961
Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe
High Shoulder | Label damaged and bin soiled
** 92 Points Wine Journal ***
Little sign of ageing. A fresh peppermint nose with black tea. Fully mature on the palate with supreme balance. A sublime wine.
Château Lafite Rothschild, situated in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France, stands as one of the most illustrious wine estates globally, revered for its storied history and exceptional red wines. With a lineage tracing back to the 17th century, the estate's vineyards cover approximately 112 hectares, predominantly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. Benefitting from gravelly soils and a maritime climate, Château Lafite Rothschild crafts wines that epitomize the elegance and complexity of Pauillac terroir. …
more >>>
Price: £1,795.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Latour, 1961
Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe Half Bottle **100 Points Robert Parker**
The 1961 Latour is a wine legend!
Michael Broadbent rated it as one of his rare six-star wines, Robert Parker has consistently given it 100 points. This is a rare half bottle in good condition with a great level.
The 1961 crop was a small one, frost in May having wiped out most of the Merlot. The Latour team took pride in having picked – unlike some other properties – before excessive ripeness set in, allowing a perfectly balanced and appetising wine to be produced. The disastrous conditions in May meant that the crop was very small, and from the outset the château reported that the wines were dark, rich, ripe and incredibly concentrated but perfectly balanced. …
more >>>
Price: £1,895.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Leoville Barton, 1961
St Julien 2eme Cru Classe
Robert Parker Writes
Tastings in the late eighties and nineties revealed a terrific, fully mature wine, splendidly perfumed with cedar, herbs, and sweet black fruits, rich, full-bodied, and long. Based on the best bottles, this wine is fully mature, but is capable of lasting for another decade. Anticipated maturity: now-2000. Last tasted 9/97.
Château Léoville Barton is a renowned wine estate situated in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France. With a storied history tracing back to the 18th century, the estate has earned widespread acclaim for its exceptional red wines. Encompassing approximately 50 hectares, …
more >>>
Price: £365.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau L'Hermitage, 1961
St Emilion
The 1961 Château L’Hermitage from Saint-Émilion is a remarkable rarity from what is considered one of the most legendary Bordeaux vintages of the 20th century. The 1961 harvest was famously small in quantity yet astonishing in quality, producing wines of unparalleled concentration, balance, and longevity. In Saint-Émilion, the Merlot-dominated blends thrived, benefiting from the vintage’s perfect growing conditions to create wines of depth, richness, and extraordinary ageing potential—qualities that this Château L’Hermitage showcases beautifully after more than six decades.
In the glass, it reveals a mature brick-red hue with tawny highlights, an elegant testament to its long evolution. …
more >>>
Price: £345.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Lynch-Bages, 1961
Pauillac 5me Cru Classe
Mid to upper shoulder level
ROBERT PARKER: 95
Still a spectacular wine, the 1961 defies mortality. It has been at its peak for nearly 15 years, yet it shows no signs of losing its fruit and drying out. The color is a dark garnet with orange/amber at the edge. The profound bouquet has the magnetic allure that leaves great Bordeaux unmatched for complexity. Sweet notes of dried fruits, herbs, tobacco, smoke, and roasted meats are followed by an opulently-textured, thick, nearly viscous wine with high glycerin, ripe, jammy fruit, and an intoxicating combination of glycerin, extract, and suppleness. The wine holds in the glass without cracking up, and has a good 40-45 second finish. …
more >>>
Price: £495.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Montrose, 1961
St Estephe 2nd Growth Classification **** 94 Points - Robert Parker Wine Advocate (NM) **** Bin soiled Labels
Château Montrose is located in the east of St Estèphe (the northern most of the great Médoc communes), just north of the hamlet of Marbuzet, on a gravel knoll only 800 metres from the Gironde estuary. As far as the great wines of Bordeaux go Château Montrose is somewhat of a youngster having been founded in 1815. However this beautiful vineyard has produced one of Bordeaux's most consistent and respected wines for over 150 years. It is considered to be one of the top St Estèphe's and is known as the “Latour of St Estèphe”.
About Chateau Montrose Château Montrose, an illustrious wine estate located in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux, France, is renowned for its exceptional wines and storied history. …
more >>>
Price: £645.00
Stock: 7 in Stock
Chianti, 1961
Frescobaldi - Nipozzano
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: £149.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Dolcetto, 1961
Giordano
1961 Giordano Dolcetto
Vintage & Background
1961 was an outstanding year in Piedmont, best remembered for Barolo and Barbaresco, but Dolcetto also benefitted from favourable conditions. Normally Dolcetto is produced for earlier drinking, prized for its bright fruit and accessibility. A bottle that has survived since 1961, however, represents more of a historical curiosity than a wine of freshness, offering instead a glimpse into how this grape evolves over extreme ageing.
Appearance & Nose
After more than six decades, the colour is likely pale garnet to tawny with amber hues at the rim. …
more >>>
Price: £89.95
Stock: 1 in Stock
Dow's, 1961
Late Bottled Vintage Port Mid-High Shoulder level
Dow’s 1961 Late Bottled Vintage Port (Bottled 1965)
Vintage & Style Background
Harvested in 1961 and bottled in 1965 after four years in cask, this LBV represents the traditional style of Late Bottled Vintage Port. Unlike modern filtered LBVs designed for early drinking, these mid-20th century examples were often unfiltered, retaining the depth and structure of a declared Vintage Port. Dow’s, known for its firm, dry-edged house style, produced a Port of real character in this lesser-known but fascinating vintage.
Appearance & Nose
After decades in bottle, the wine now shows a tawny-garnet colour with amber highlights. …
more >>>
Price: £375.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1961
Guimaraens Vintage Port Library release from Fonseca cellars Oporto
Rare Bottles of Fonseca Single Quinta Vintage Port obtained directly from the Fonseca Cellars in Oporto
Vintage & Background
The Guimaraens Vintage Port is traditionally bottled in years that are not widely declared, giving Fonseca an opportunity to showcase the house style from excellent harvests that fall outside the classic declarations. 1961 was one such year. While not a universally declared vintage, the conditions in the Douro produced powerful, ageworthy wines. This bottling, released directly from Fonseca’s Oporto cellars as a library release, offers both impeccable provenance and a rare glimpse into the house’s mid-20th century production. …
more >>>
Price: £695.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Gattinara, 1961
Luigi Nervi
Vintage & Background
1961 is remembered as one of the greatest Piedmont vintages of the 20th century. While Barolo and Barbaresco gained most of the fame, Gattinara—crafted from Nebbiolo (locally known as Spanna)—also produced exceptional wines with structure and longevity. Luigi Nervi, the oldest continuously operating winery in Gattinara, has long been regarded as a benchmark producer, making wines that combine firm mountain structure with elegance and aromatic complexity.
Appearance & Nose
After more than sixty years, the wine shows a garnet core shading to tawny and amber at the rim. …
more >>>
Price: £119.00
Stock: 2 in Stock