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.
102 products found.
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
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: £69.00
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
Ghemme, 1971
F.lli Francoli
Clearance Offer | Was £79 | Now £45
The Ghemme is produced in the hilly area of the municipalities of Ghemme and Romagnano Sesia, in the province of Novara. The vineyards are situated on a series of hills of alluvial origin moraine that extends from the mouth of the Valsesia Novara plain. These findings formed by deposits carried downstream from the glacier of Mount Rosa.
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Price: £45.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Grignolino, 1971
Bersano - Half Litre Bottle (50cl) Special Offer | Was £49 | Now £30
This Grignolino displays a light ruby-red colour with soft brick-orange highlights. The nose reveals red cherries, cranberry, gentle spice, and subtle earthy hints. On the palate, it is light to medium-bodied and smooth, with delicate tannins supporting flavours of stewed red fruits and a touch of herbs, finishing fresh, balanced, and elegant.
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: £30.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Grignolino, 1971
Marchesi Fracassi
The Grignolino wine have a light ruby red color, tending to orange with aging. Have a characteristic odor and delicate in the mouth are dry, slightly tannic, bitter pleasant, with a characteristic aftertaste.
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 1 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
Gutturnio, 1971
Pietro Calabresi
Gutturnio DOC 1971 Pietro Calabresi is a red wine from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, produced by Pietro Calabresi, a winery with a long tradition of crafting wines that highlight the character of the region’s native varietals. This vintage showcases Gutturnio’s classic blend of Barbera and Croatina grapes, demonstrating both vibrant fruit and the subtle complexity that develops over decades of careful aging.
Tasting Notes:
The wine presents a garnet-red color with brick-orange hues along the rim, typical of a mature Gutturnio. The bouquet is expressive, with aromas of dried red cherries, plums, and hints of blackberries, complemented by tertiary notes of leather, tobacco, gentle spices, and soft earthy undertones. …
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Price: £49.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Inferno, 1971
Enologica Valtelinese Special Offer | Was £89 | Now £35
Inferno is one of five viticultural sub-zones specifically identified as producing Valtellina wines of particularly high quality: the other four are Grumello, Sassella, Maroggia and Valgella. Inferno means 'hell' in Italian, and refers to the slopes between Sondrio town and the village of Tresivio. Although DOC laws do not explain the origins of this name, it has been suggested that in summer the slopes here get noticeably hotter than the rest of the valley. Just across Sondrio to the west is Sassella, the finest of the Valtellina sub-zones.
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Price: £35.00
Stock: 10 in Stock
Merlot, 1971
Gigi Santinoli Special Offer | Was £59 | Now £35
This mature Merlot presents a ruby core fading to garnet at the rim. The nose shows ripe plum, black cherry, and dried fig, layered with soft spice and light earthy notes. On the palate it is medium-bodied and rounded, with mellow tannins supporting flavours of stewed dark fruit and a touch of tobacco, leading to a smooth, balanced finish.
Decanting: Stand upright for 2–3 days to allow sediment to settle. Decant gently through a fine strainer and aerate for around 1 hour before serving at 16–18°C. Fragile corks are common; strain any fragments during decanting.
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Price: £35.00
Stock: 5 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
Missianer Auslese, 1971
Walburg
This Missianer Auslese shows a deep golden-amber colour with amber highlights. The nose offers aromas of dried apricot, honey, orange peel, and gentle spice. On the palate, it is rich and luscious, with balanced sweetness and flavours of candied fruits, toasted nuts, and a touch of caramel, finishing long, elegant, and lingering.
Decanting: Stand upright for 1–2 days to allow sediment to settle. Decant gently through a fine strainer if needed, and serve at 10–12°C. Fragile corks are common; strain any fragments during decanting.
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Price: £59.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Monica Di Sardegna, 1971
Vinicola Efisio Meloni - Riserva
This Monica di Sardegna shows a deep ruby-red colour with garnet highlights. The nose reveals red cherries, plum, and gentle spice, with subtle earthy and herbal notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and smooth, with soft tannins carrying flavours of stewed red fruits, hints of cocoa, and a touch of dried herbs, 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: £79.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Montalba Le Chateau, 1971
Montalba, Corbieres Special Offer | Was £79 | Now £59
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
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, 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
Salvano Saverio
This Nebbiolo shows a garnet-red colour with warm brick-orange highlights. The nose reveals dried cherries, rose petal, gentle spice, and subtle earthy and leather notes. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with refined tannins carrying 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: £89.00
Stock: 5 in Stock
Nebbiolo, 1971
Castello di Gabiano
This Nebbiolo shows a garnet-red colour with warm brick highlights. The nose reveals dried cherries, rose petal, gentle spice, and subtle earthy and leather notes. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with soft, refined tannins carrying 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: £89.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Nebbiolo, 1971
Salvano Saverio
This Nebbiolo shows a garnet-red colour with warm brick-orange highlights. The nose reveals dried cherries, rose petal, gentle spice, and subtle earthy and leather notes. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with refined tannins carrying 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
Nebbiolo D'Alba, 1971
Riccardo Ceretto
This Nebbiolo d’Alba shows a garnet-red colour with warm brick-orange highlights. The nose opens with dried cherries, rose petal, gentle spice, and subtle earthy and leather notes. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with refined tannins carrying 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: £79.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Nebbiolo D'Alba, 1971
Scarpa Clearance Offer- damaged label Was £75 | Now £45
This Nebbiolo d’Alba shows a garnet-red colour with warm brick 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 carrying 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: £45.00
Stock: 1 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
Nebbiolo D'Alba, 1971
Carretta - Famiglia Veglio
This Nebbiolo d’Alba shows a garnet-red colour with warm brick highlights. The nose reveals 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: £69.00
Stock: 1 in Stock