1971 Wine and Port Vintage
Vintage Summary and Recommendations:
1971 Wine – 55 Year Old Anniversary Wines
Welcome to Vintage Wine & Port’s 1971 wine collection. Widely regarded as a five-star vintage in Piedmont, 1971 produced some of the finest Barolo and Barbaresco wines of the century. With ideal growing conditions and exceptional ripening, the resulting wines have developed remarkable depth, elegance and longevity over more than five decades.
Now at full maturity, the best 1971 wines offer beautifully resolved tannins, complex layers of dried fruit, spice and earth, and a long, refined finish. These characteristics make them an outstanding choice for a 55th anniversary or truly special milestone birthday gift.
While we continue to offer a curated selection from regions such as Portugal and Bordeaux, the true highlight of this vintage lies in Piedmont, where Nebbiolo-based wines stand out for their structure, balance and exceptional ageing potential. Our selection focuses on bottles from trusted producers and well-stored cellars, ensuring each wine is drinking at its best today.
Our Recommended Wines from 1971
Scroll down to explore our full selection. If you would like personal advice, please call us on 01425 837177 or contact us — we would be delighted to help you choose the perfect bottle.
Top Recommendation: 1971 Barolo Cantne Prandi(Piedmont)
From a legendary five-star vintage, this mature Barolo has been acquired directly from Cantine Prandi Cellars and offers exceptional complexity, with notes of dried cherry, truffle, leather and spice. A truly special and age-worthy wine, perfect for a 55th anniversary celebration.
Best Value: 1971 Nebbiolo Scarpa (Piedmont)
Offering the character of the vintage at a more accessible level, mature Nebbiolo delivers elegant notes of dried red fruit, spice and earth with a softer, more approachable structure than Barolo.
Classic Italian Alternative: 1971 Barbaresco Borgogno
Sharing the same exceptional vintage conditions as Barolo, Barbaresco offers a refined and slightly more approachable expression while retaining the hallmark complexity of Piedmont wines.
Rare Fortified Option: Palmer 1971 Colheita Port
A rare and beautifully matured fortified wine, offering rich notes of dried fruit, caramel and spice. With only limited availability, this provides a distinctive and reliable option for those seeking a ready-to-drink 1971 wine.
This Year in History: Fun Facts: The United Kingdom became the sixth nation successfully to launch a satellite into orbit using its own launch vehicle, the Prospero (X-3) experimental communications satellite (built at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough), using a Black Arrow carrier rocket from Woomera Launch Area 5 in South Australia.
Eurovision Winner: Monaco with the song "Un Banc, Un Arbre, Une Rue" by Severine
Top Grossing Movie: Diamonds Are Forever
Bordeaux: 1971 was a very good wine vintage, whose only failing was to be overshadowed by the outstanding 1970 vintage. The crop size of the 1971 vintage was very small making wines of this year a rarity. Well-stored examples of wine are likely to remain mature for a few more years. Sweet wines such as Sauternes and Barsac were outstanding in this year and will last for many decades to come.
Italian: Considered to be one of the greatest vintages of the 20th century for Italian wine, excellent growing conditions during 1971 produced a small crop of rich, full bodied wines that have aged gracefully and will last for many years. These wines would make an excellent wine gift for a birthday or anniversary. In Piedmont, Barolo and Barbaresco are outstanding with a high level of consistency. In Tuscany, the best results were in Chianti where this year was officially rated a 5-star vintage. Many of the wines have shown exceptional ageing qualities. It was also a good vintage for Brunello.
50 products found.
Chianti, 1971
Giaole - Ricasoli
Magnum Format Bottle (175cl)
This Chianti shows a deep ruby-red colour with warm brick highlights. The nose opens with dried cherries, plum, gentle spice, and subtle earthy and leather notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and smooth, with softened tannins supporting flavours of stewed red fruits, hints of herbs, and a touch of cocoa, finishing balanced, elegant, and lingering.
Decanting: Stand upright for 2–3 days to allow sediment to settle. Decant slowly through a fine strainer and aerate 1–2 hours before serving at 16–18°C. Fragile corks are common; strain any fragments during decanting.
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Price: £159.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Cotes du Rhone, 1971
Vins de Proprietaire
A mature and traditional example from the Southern Rhône, this wine displays a brick-garnet hue with a fading rim. The nose offers tertiary aromas of dried red fruits, leather, tobacco leaf, and earthy undergrowth, with subtle hints of spice and old wood. The palate is delicate and fully evolved, showing mellow fruit, soft acidity, and gentle tannins leading to a dry, savoury finish.
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Dolcetto, 1971
Bersano Clearance Offer- Damaged labels Was £89 | Now £50
This Dolcetto displays a deep ruby-red colour with garnet highlights. The nose reveals black cherries, plum, gentle spice, and subtle earthy and leather notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and smooth, with soft tannins carrying flavours of stewed red fruits and hints of cocoa, finishing balanced, elegant, and lingering.
Decanting: Stand upright for 2–3 days to allow sediment to settle. Decant slowly through a fine strainer and aerate 1–2 hours before serving at 16–18°C. Fragile corks are common; strain any fragments during decanting.
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Price: £50.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Freisa, 1971
Contratto, Freisa, Piedmonte
1971 Freisa – Contratto (Piedmont)
The 1971 vintage is considered one of the classic post-war years in Piedmont, producing wines with structure and longevity. Freisa, one of the region’s traditional indigenous varieties and closely related to Nebbiolo, is known for its vibrant acidity and firm structure in youth. This bottling from Contratto — founded in 1867 and recognised for its traditional approach to winemaking — reflects a historic era of regional production shaped by patience and extended ageing.
Tasting Notes:
Now showing a mature brick-garnet hue with amber tones at the rim, the nose is savoury and finely evolved. …
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Price: £79.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Garda, 1971
San Grato Clearance Offer- Stained label Was £69 | Now £50
Produced using a careful selection of grapes from the Garda Classico Rosso. The grapes once harvested are placed in a “fruttaio” (a well ventilated room) to dry out, they are pressed and the wine is “rested” in wooden barrels for a year. Here is a wine with a deep translucent red colour and spicy perfume. A harmonious wine, dry and velvety with a hint of tartness. Served with spiedo (a local spit roast from the city of Brescia and Lombardy) with game and roast meats.
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Price: £50.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Gattinara, 1971
Luigi Nervi & Figlio
Gattinara is a red Italian wine produced from Nebbiolo grapes grown within the boundaries of the commune of Gattinara which is located in the hills in the north of the province of Vercelli, northwest of Novara in the Piedmont region. The wine is made from a minimum of 90% Nebbiolo grapes and is renowned for its longevity. Notes: a meaty, chunky wine with a subtle, clean nose. Hints of tar and bark, with undertones of cherries and rose petals. Light tannins.
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Grignolino, 1971
Marchesi di Barolo
This Ghemme shows a garnet-red colour with warm brick highlights. The nose offers dried cherries, plum, gentle spice, and subtle earthy and leather notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and smooth, with refined tannins supporting flavours of stewed red fruits, hints of truffle, and a touch of cocoa, finishing long, balanced, and elegant.
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.
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Grignolino, 1971
Kiola - Batasiolo
This Grignolino shows a light ruby-red colour with brick-orange highlights. The nose offers aromas of red cherries, cranberry, soft spice, and subtle earthy notes. On the palate, it is light to medium-bodied and smooth, with delicate tannins supporting flavours of stewed red fruits and a hint of herbs, finishing fresh, balanced, and approachable.
Decanting: Stand upright for 2–3 days to allow sediment to settle. Decant gently through a fine strainer and aerate 1–2 hours before serving at 16–18°C. Fragile corks are common; strain any fragments during decanting.
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 5 in Stock
Merlot, 1971
Gigi Santinoli Special Offer | Was £59 | Now £35
Merlot 1971 – Gigi Santinoli is a rare and intriguing survivor from the golden age of Italian winemaking. Produced more than fifty years ago, this historic bottle offers a unique opportunity to own a genuine piece of wine history and an exceptional gift for anyone celebrating a 1971 birth year, anniversary or special occasion.
Crafted from Merlot by Gigi Santinoli, this wine reflects a period when Italian producers were increasingly exploring international grape varieties while maintaining traditional winemaking methods. Bottles from this era have become increasingly difficult to find, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable to collectors and enthusiasts. …
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Price: £59.95
Stock: 6 in Stock
Merlot, 1971
Rocca Bernarda - Riserva
This Merlot Riserva shows a deep ruby-red colour with garnet highlights. The nose opens with black cherries, plum, gentle spice, and subtle hints of leather and earth. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and smooth, with soft tannins carrying flavours of stewed dark fruits and a touch of cocoa, finishing balanced, elegant, and lingering.
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.
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Minervois, 1971
Germe
The Minervois DOC 1971 Germe is a rare and historic red wine from the Languedoc region in southern France. Minervois wines are typically blends dominated by Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and sometimes Carignan, reflecting the rugged Mediterranean terroir of the region. This vintage represents traditional winemaking in the early 1970s, with emphasis on structure, earthiness, and ageing potential.
Tasting Notes:
The 1971 vintage is fully mature and tertiary. The nose shows aromas of dried blackberries, plum, leather, tobacco, garrigue herbs, and subtle spice, with hints of forest floor and cedar emerging with aeration. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Montalba Le Chateau, 1971
Montalba, Corbieres
1971 Montalba Corbières
Overview:
A rare and mature red from the Corbières appellation in the Languedoc, this 1971 Montalba reflects the traditional style of southern French winemaking during an era when wines were produced with structure, character and the capacity to evolve over time. Now approaching fifty-five years of age, it offers a fascinating expression of mature Corbières, displaying the savoury complexity and Mediterranean charm that can develop with careful cellaring.
Appearance:
Deep garnet in colour with brick-orange highlights at the rim, showing extensive maturation and graceful evolution. …
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Price: £59.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Nebbiolo, 1971
Poderi Lanzavecchia
This Nebbiolo displays a garnet-red colour with brick-orange highlights. The nose offers dried cherries, rose petal, gentle spice, and subtle earthy and leather notes. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with refined tannins supporting flavours of stewed red fruits, hints of truffle, and a touch of cocoa, finishing long, balanced, and elegant.
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.
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Nebbiolo, 1971
Alfredo Prunotto
Was £99
Special Offer £74.95
This Nebbiolo shows a garnet-red colour with warm brick-orange highlights. The nose opens with dried cherries, rose petal, gentle spice, and subtle leather and earthy notes. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with refined tannins supporting flavours of stewed red fruits, hints of truffle, and a touch of cocoa, finishing long, elegant, and balanced.
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.
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Price: £74.95
Stock: 3 in Stock
Nebbiolo D'Alba, 1971
Marchesi di Barolo Special Offer | Was £99 | Now £69
This Nebbiolo displays a garnet-red colour with warm brick highlights. The nose reveals dried cherries, rose petal, gentle spice, and subtle leather and earthy notes. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with refined tannins supporting flavours of stewed red fruits, hints of truffle, and a touch of cocoa, finishing long, balanced, and elegant.
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.
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Pinot Nero, 1971
Cantina Santa Maria della Versa
Pinot Nero DOC 1971 Cantina Santa Maria della Versa is a historic red wine from Lombardy, Italy, produced by the cooperative winery Cantina Santa Maria della Versa. This bottling represents a classic early-1970s Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), crafted in a traditional style for medium- to long-term aging with elegant development of tertiary aromas.
Tasting Notes:
Light ruby-brick color with subtle garnet highlights. Aromas of dried cherry, cranberry, rose petals, leather, and gentle earthy spice notes.
Medium-bodied palate with softened tannins, balanced acidity, and refined structure. Long finish with hints of dried fruit, subtle forest floor, and delicate herbal nuances. …
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Price: £49.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Rosso Conero, 1971
Castelfiura
Rosso Conero is a wine appellation in the central part of the Marche region of Italy just south of Ancona on the slopes of Monte Conero. The red wine made here is based on the Montepulciano grape which must comprise 85% of the wine. If another grape is used, it is commonly Sangiovese.
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Salice, 1971
Leone de Castris - Riserva
Salice Salentino is a DOC of the Puglia wine region in south-eastern Italy. Its original incarnation exclusively covered red wines, but the rules were modified first in 1990 and then again in 2010, and now permit white and rose wines too. The catchment area for the wines centers on the small town of Salice on the Salento peninsula, and spreads out to the north and west.
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Price: £79.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Spanna, 1971
Vallana - Cantina del Camino
Produced by the historic Vallana estate in Alto Piemonte, this 1971 Spanna is a fine example of one of Italy's most age-worthy wine styles. Spanna, the local name for Nebbiolo, has long been celebrated for its ability to evolve gracefully over decades, developing remarkable complexity while retaining freshness and structure. Now approaching fifty-five years of age, this mature wine offers a compelling expression of traditional northern Piedmont winemaking.
Appearance:
Deep garnet in colour with brick-orange highlights at the rim, reflecting its long and graceful maturation. …
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Price: £189.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Spanna, 1971
Umberto Fiore - Riserva
Spanna has often been cited by wine experts as one of Italy’s greatest ageing wines. Spanna’s longevity can be attributed, at least in part, to the addition of smaller amounts of less tannic, more acidic grape varieties. Tasting notes: The nose opens up beautifully after about an hour and the wine has gorgeous ripe and sweet fruit, nice acidity, and perfectly softened tannins.
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Spanna, 1971
Umberto Fiore - Riserva Speciale *** BIG GALLON BOTTLE OF 3,78 LITERS ***
Spanna has often been cited by wine experts as one of Italy’s greatest ageing wines. Spanna’s longevity can be attributed, at least in part, to the addition of smaller amounts of less tannic, more acidic grape varieties. Tasting notes: The nose opens up beautifully after about an hour and the wine has gorgeous ripe and sweet fruit, nice acidity, and perfectly softened tannins.
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Price: £189.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Spanna, 1971
Umberto Fiore - Riserva Speciale Magnum Bottle (149cl)
Spanna has often been cited by wine experts as one of Italy’s greatest ageing wines. Spanna’s longevity can be attributed, at least in part, to the addition of smaller amounts of less tannic, more acidic grape varieties. Tasting notes: The nose opens up beautifully after about an hour and the wine has gorgeous ripe and sweet fruit, nice acidity, and perfectly softened tannins.
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Price: £139.00
Stock: 5 in Stock
Taylor Fladgate, 1971
Colheita Single Harvest Port
Includes Taylor's gift box
Taylor’s has an extensive and enviable library of very old Ports and each year they release a 50 year old Single Harvest Port which represents the cream of their aged reserves.
Often referred to as Colheitas, these single harvest Tawny ports are a far cry from vintage port with very slow and gentle ageing in oak casks creating ports of extreme aromatic complexity with delightfully mellow structure. And the 1970 Port vintage was of one outstanding quality - ideal growing conditions produced what is now a classic vintage - universally declared by all the major port houses.
Every year Taylor’s dip into their extensive cask-aged reserves to unveil an immense 50-year-old Port. …
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Price: £325.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Tokaji, 1971
Aszu Monimpex - HALF BOTTLE of 50cl
This 1971 Tokaji Aszú from Monimpex is a remarkable dessert wine hailing from the Tokaj region of Hungary, renowned for its sweet wines produced from botrytized grapes.
Tasting Notes: As a wine from the 1971 vintage, this Tokaji Aszú showcases deep complexity and character, with a rich bouquet of dried apricot, honey, peach, and orange marmalade, intertwined with notes of caramel, nuts, and hints of spice. The palate is luscious, with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, leading to a long, lingering finish marked by rich fruit and a touch of refreshing minerality.
Serving & Food Pairing: Best served chilled at a temperature of 8–10°C, …
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Price: £159.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Vecchio Maniero, 1971
Marchesi di Barolo, Piedmont
Sale | Was £129 | Now £89
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. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 12 in Stock