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.
101 products found.
Palmer Port, 1971
Colheita Port
The 1971 Palmer Port Colheita is a very rare single-harvest Tawny Port, aged in seasoned oak casks for more than five decades. From an early 1970s vintage, this extraordinary Colheita shows remarkable maturity, elegance and complexity, offering a unique opportunity to enjoy a Port that has been patiently nurtured across generations. A true collector’s treasure. Drink now or enjoy over the next decade.
Tasting Notes:
Deep mahogany-tawny with golden edges. The nose is intensely complex, revealing aromas of dried figs, dates, roasted walnuts, caramelised orange peel, coffee and sweet spice. …
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Price: £349.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Ryst Dupeyron Armagnac, 1971
Ryst Dupeyron Reserve Joseph Millesime vintage Armagnac
50cl bottle
The 1971 Armagnac Millésime from Ryst Dupeyron is a stellar example of aged Armagnac, offering a complex and refined tasting experience for both connoisseurs and newcomers to the world of Armagnac.
Tasting Notes
Expect flavours typical of well-aged Armagnac, such as prunes, figs, and apricots, spices like vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg, roasted nuts, and possibly floral or woody undertones. The specific profile can vary based on the conditions of the 1971 growing season and the aging process it underwent.
Serving & Food Pairing
Armagnac is traditionally enjoyed neat, allowing you to fully appreciate its complexity. …
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Price: £159.00
Stock: 15 in Stock
Cantine Prandi, 1971
Cantine Prandi, Barolo, Piedmont
Ex Cellars Library Release
1971 Barolo – Cantine Prandi
Producer Library Stock (Exclusive to VWP)
The 1971 vintage is regarded as one of the classic post-war years in Piedmont, producing Barolo wines of structure, perfume and remarkable longevity. This bottle from Cantine Prandi comes from a traditional era of Nebbiolo winemaking, when long ageing and patient cellar maturation were central to the style. Offered as last library stock, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire a bottle that has remained in producer or long-term cellar conditions since release.
Tasting Notes:
Now displaying a brick-garnet colour with amber highlights at the rim, the nose is mature and finely layered. …
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Price: £135.00
Stock: 29 in Stock
Amarone della Valpolicella, 1971
L. Bertolo
The Amarone DOC 1971 L. Bertolo 75 cl 14% is a traditional red wine from Veneto, Italy. Produced in the area of Verona under the Amarone della Valpolicella DOC and bottled by L. Bertolo, it is typically made from partially dried local grapes (Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara), following the classic appassimento method that gives Amarone its richness and structure.
Tasting notes:
Now extremely mature and well beyond peak, it shows evolved and tertiary aromas. The nose offers dried cherry, raisin, plum, leather, tobacco, and sweet spice, with earthy and slightly oxidative notes depending on storage. …
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Price: £169.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1971
Giacomo Borgogno - Riserva
1971 Barbaresco – Giacomo Borgogno Riserva
The 1971 vintage is regarded as one of the classic years in Piedmont, producing wines of structure, perfume and excellent longevity. Giacomo Borgogno is one of the region’s historic producers, renowned for a traditional approach to Nebbiolo that emphasises extended ageing and patient cellar maturation. This Riserva bottling reflects that classical style, offering a rare glimpse into mature Barbaresco from a celebrated era.
Tasting Notes:
Now showing a brick-garnet colour with amber highlights at the rim, the nose is finely evolved and expressive. …
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Price: £139.00
Stock: 10 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1971
Contratto, Barbaresco, Piedmonte
1971 Barbaresco – Giuseppe Contratto
The 1971 vintage is regarded as one of the classic years in Piedmont, producing structured and long-lived wines with impressive depth. Giuseppe Contratto, a historic name in the region founded in the 19th century, was known for traditional winemaking methods that allowed Nebbiolo to express its natural perfume and ageing potential. This bottle offers a rare glimpse into Barbaresco from a celebrated era of classical production.
Tasting Notes:
Now brick-garnet in colour with amber highlights at the rim, the nose is mature and finely layered. Aromas of dried cherry, rose petal and redcurrant intertwine with notes of leather, tobacco leaf and forest floor. …
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Price: £165.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1971
Giordano Giovanni
1971 Barbaresco – Giordano Giovanni
The 1971 vintage is recognised as one of the classic years in Piedmont, producing wines of structure, perfume and impressive longevity. This Barbaresco from Giordano Giovanni reflects a traditional approach to Nebbiolo winemaking, where patient ageing and time in bottle allow the wine’s complexity and elegance to emerge fully.
Tasting Notes:
Now brick-garnet in colour with amber highlights at the rim, the nose is mature and expressive. Aromas of dried cherry, rose petal and redcurrant intertwine with notes of leather, tobacco leaf and forest floor. With time in the glass, subtle hints of truffle, cedarwood and warm spice develop, adding depth and refinement. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1971
Produttori del Barbaresco - Riserva Rabajà
The Barbaresco DOC 1971 “Rabajà Riserva” Produttori del Barbaresco is an exceptionally rare and historic Nebbiolo wine from Piedmont, Italy. Produced by Produttori del Barbaresco, this Riserva comes from the Rabajà cru, one of the most prestigious vineyards in Barbaresco, known for its balance of power, elegance, and aromatic complexity.
This vintage represents the early Riserva bottlings from the cooperative, showcasing the quality and ageing potential of carefully selected parcels of Nebbiolo.
Tasting Notes:
The 1971 Rabajà Riserva is now fully mature and deeply tertiary. The nose reveals aromas of dried rose petals, …
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Price: £229.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Barbera, 1971
Bersano
Magnum Bottle (149cl)
This Barbera displays a rich garnet colour with warm brick highlights. The nose offers dried red cherries, plum, and soft spice, complemented by subtle leather and earthy undertones. On the palate, it is smooth and medium-bodied, with gentle tannins carrying flavours of stewed fruit and a hint of cocoa, finishing long 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: £119.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbera, 1971
Luigi Rizzo
This Barbera shows a deep garnet colour with subtle brick-orange highlights. The nose is aromatic with dried cherries, plum, and hints of sweet spice, accompanied by soft leather notes. The palate is smooth and approachable, with gentle tannins and flavours of stewed red fruits and a touch of earthiness, finishing elegant and balanced.
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: £79.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Barbera, 1971
Salvano Saverio
This Barbera shows a deep garnet colour with subtle brick-orange highlights. The nose is aromatic with dried cherries, plum, and hints of sweet spice, accompanied by soft leather notes. The palate is smooth and approachable, with gentle tannins and flavours of stewed red fruits and a touch of earthiness, finishing elegant and balanced.
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: £65.00
Stock: 10 in Stock
Barbera, 1971
Pio Cesare Special Offer | Was £69.95 | Now £49
This mature Barbera comes from Pio Cesare, one of Piedmont’s most historic and respected estates, renowned for producing expressive, age-worthy wines that combine structure with elegance. The 1971 vintage displays a deep garnet-red colour with brick-orange highlights, reflecting over five decades of careful bottle ageing.
On the nose, it reveals inviting aromas of dried red cherries, plum, and blackberry, intertwined with notes of sweet spice, leather, tobacco, and a subtle earthy minerality. The palate is smooth and harmonious, with Barbera’s naturally vibrant acidity still providing lift and freshness. …
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Price: £49.00
Stock: 19 in Stock
Barbera, 1971
Pio Cesare
Was £69.95
Clearance Offer | Damaged Label £49.95
This mature Barbera comes from Pio Cesare, one of Piedmont’s most historic and respected estates, renowned for producing expressive, age-worthy wines that combine structure with elegance. The 1971 vintage displays a deep garnet-red colour with brick-orange highlights, reflecting over five decades of careful bottle ageing.
On the nose, it reveals inviting aromas of dried red cherries, plum, and blackberry, intertwined with notes of sweet spice, leather, tobacco, and a subtle earthy minerality. The palate is smooth and harmonious, with Barbera’s naturally vibrant acidity still providing lift and freshness. …
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Price: £49.95
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbera, 1971
Bersano
Was £79.95
Clearance Offer | Damaged Label £35
This Barbera displays a rich garnet colour with warm brick highlights. The nose offers dried red cherries, plum, and soft spice, complemented by subtle leather and earthy undertones. On the palate, it is smooth and medium-bodied, with gentle tannins carrying flavours of stewed fruit and a hint of cocoa, finishing long 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: £35.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbera d'Asti, 1971
Bersano - Half Litre Bottle (50cl)
This Barbera d’Asti shows a deep garnet colour with brick-orange highlights. The nose opens with dried cherries, plum, and soft spice, complemented by subtle leather and earthy notes. On the palate, it is smooth and medium-bodied, with gentle tannins and flavours of stewed red fruits, finishing long, balanced, and approachable.
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: £39.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Barbera d'Asti, 1971
Contratto, Barbera, Piedmonte
1971 Barbera d’Asti – Contratto
The 1971 vintage is regarded as one of the classic post-war years in Piedmont, producing wines of balance, structure and notable longevity. From the historic house of Contratto, founded in 1867 and long associated with traditional regional winemaking, this Barbera d’Asti reflects an era when wines were crafted with freshness and ageing potential in mind.
Tasting Notes:
Now displaying a mature brick-red hue with garnet reflections at the rim, the nose is expressive and gently evolved. Aromas of dried cherry, plum and redcurrant are layered with notes of leather, dried herbs and subtle spice. …
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Price: £75.00
Stock: 5 in Stock
Barbera del Monferrato, 1971
Cantine F. Vernetti Clearance Offer | Was £59 | Now £45
This Barbera del Monferrato shows a deep garnet-red colour with brick-orange highlights. The nose offers aromas of dried cherries, plum, and soft spice, with subtle leather and earthy undertones. On the palate, it is smooth and medium-bodied, with gentle tannins carrying flavours of stewed red fruits and a hint of cocoa, finishing long and harmonious.
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: 2 in Stock
Barolo, 1971
Giordano - Riserva, Barolo, Piedmont
This Barolo Riserva shows a garnet-red colour with brick-orange highlights. The nose opens with dried red cherries, rose petal, gentle spice, and hints of leather and forest floor. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with refined tannins supporting flavours of stewed cherries, subtle truffle, and earthy undertones, finishing long, structured, 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: £149.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1971
Kiola, Barolo, Piedmont
This Barolo displays a deep garnet-red colour with brick-orange highlights. The nose offers dried cherries, rose, gentle spice, and subtle hints of leather and earthy forest 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, 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: £139.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1971
Prandi
This Barolo displays a garnet-red colour with brick-orange highlights, reflecting its age gracefully. The nose offers dried red cherries, rose petal, gentle spice, and hints of leather and forest floor. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with refined tannins supporting flavours of stewed cherries, subtle truffle, and earthy undertones, finishing long, structured, 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: £189.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Barolo, 1971
Giacomo Borgogno - Riserva
This Barolo Riserva shows a deep garnet colour with warm brick-orange highlights. The nose offers dried cherries, rose, gentle spice, and subtle notes of leather and tobacco. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with refined, silky tannins supporting flavours of stewed red fruits, hints of truffle, and earthy undertones, finishing long, elegant, and structured.
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: £289.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Barolo, 1971
Paolo Gaggino
This Barolo displays a garnet-red colour with brick-orange highlights. The nose opens with dried cherries, rose petal, and gentle spice, complemented by subtle leather and earthy hints. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with soft, refined tannins and flavours of stewed red fruits, hints of cocoa, and a touch of truffle, finishing long, elegant, and harmonious.
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: £159.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1971
Cav. Ceste
Vintage & Background
The 1971 vintage in Piedmont is widely regarded as one of the great post-war years for Barolo, producing wines of remarkable structure, perfume, and longevity. A small crop and ideal late-season conditions allowed Nebbiolo to ripen beautifully, giving wines with exceptional ageing potential. Cav Ceste’s 1971 Barolo now offers a rare opportunity to experience a mature expression from this celebrated vintage, showing the classical depth and elegance for which old Barolo is revered.
Appearance & Nose
The colour has evolved to a luminous garnet with amber-brick reflections at the rim, a hallmark of mature Nebbiolo. …
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Price: £159.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1971
Cà Rossa - Giuseppe Ravinale
Was £169
Clearance Offer | Damaged Label £129
1971 Ca’ Rossa Barolo
Overview:
A beautifully mature expression of traditional Piedmontese winemaking, the 1971 Ca’ Rossa Barolo reflects one of the region’s most respected classic vintages. Now fully evolved, it offers the haunting tertiary complexity, savoury depth and quiet elegance that make mature Barolo such a compelling experience for collectors and lovers of old Nebbiolo.
Appearance:
Pale garnet with pronounced brick-orange evolution at the rim, showing the graceful maturity characteristic of long-aged traditional Barolo. …
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Price: £129.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1971
Francone - Riserva
The Barolo DOC 1971 Francone Riserva is a rare historic red wine from the Langhe region in Piedmont, Italy. Produced by Francone, it is made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes and reflects the traditional Barolo style of the early 1970s: structured, austere in youth, and built for very long bottle aging with slow evolution into complex tertiary aromas.
Tasting notes:
The 1971 vintage is now fully mature and deeply tertiary. The nose opens with aromas of dried rose petals, sour cherry, dried plum, leather, tobacco leaf, forest floor, and truffle-like earthy notes. With aeration, additional layers of dried herbs, spice, cedarwood, and balsamic nuances emerge. …
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Price: £149.00
Stock: 1 in Stock