1971 Wine and Port Vintage
Vintage Summary and Recommendations:

Welcome to Vintage Wine and Port's 1971 wine page. Read on for our summary of the 1971 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 1971 vintage had some definite high points, albeit matched by some lows. In France, the vintage for Bordeaux was reasonably good; however, the year was sublime for Sauternes. Both Burgundy and Champagne also enjoyed excellent years, as did the Rhône, Loire and Alsace. In Italy, the vintage was also very good for Piedmont and particularly Tuscany, which saw the advent of some notable Super Tuscans, specifically Tignanello. Any of these wines would make a fabulous 55 year old wine gift for an Anniversary or birthday.
Our Wine Expert currently recommends the following wines for this year:
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.
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76 products found.
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
Inferno, 1971
Enologica Valtelinese
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: £89.00
Stock: 10 in Stock
Merlot, 1971
Gigi Santinoli
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: £59.00
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
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
Corbières is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) for wine in the Languedoc-Roussillon, France, and it is this region's largest AOC, responsible for 46 per cent of the region's AOC wine production in 2005. Red wine dominates the production in Corbières with almost 95 per cent, with 3.5 per cent rosé wine and 2 per cent white wine making up the balance. Carignan is the most common grape variety. The AOC was created in 1985, covers 13,500 hectares (33,000 acres) of vineyards and produces an average of 554,000 hectoliters of wine per year, corresponding to 74 million bottles.
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Price: £79.00
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
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: £89.00
Stock: 3 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 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
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
Pinot Nero, 1971
Karl Schmid
Very forward nose of leather and cherries, liquorice wild strawberries, ripe plums and pencil .The palate is very nice balance of sweet fruit and acidity.
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Price: £59.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Sangiovese di Romagna, 1971
Fattoria La Casetta - MAGNUM of 1,49 Liters
Good-quality Sangiovese is prized for its high acid, firm tannins and balanced nature. Savory flavors of dark cherries and black stone fruit are characteristic, and may be backed by secondary notes of tomato leaf and dried herbs. The use of oak has become more popular and this coaxes richer flavors from the grapes, tending toward plum and wild raspberry.
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Price: £149.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Sogno di Bacco, 1971
Umberto Fiore - Gran Riserva *** GALLON OF 3,78 LITERS ***
Sogno di Bacco is made from thelong lasting nebbiolo grape. Nebbiolo is a black-skinned red wine grape variety most famous for creating the 'tar and roses' scent of Barolo wines from Piedmont, north-western Italy. The grape's very name is evocative of its home among the misty foothills of the western Alps; the nebbia (Italian for 'fog') after which it is named frequently arrives on early October mornings, when the Nebbiolo harvest is in full swing.
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Price: £349.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Spanna, 1971
Vallana - Cantina del Camino
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: £229.00
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: £329.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Spanna, 1971
Umberto Fiore - Riserva Speciale Magnum
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: 6 in Stock
Squinzano, 1971
Renna - Riserva
Very forward nose of leather and cherries, liquorice wild strawberries, ripe plums and pencil .The palate is very nice balance of sweet fruit and acidity.
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Vecchio Maniero, 1971
Marchesi di Barolo, Piedmont
Sale | Was £129 | Now £89
This wine from the good 1971 vintage is made with the long lived Nebbiolo grape. this is a black-skinned red wine grape variety most famous for creating the 'tar and roses' scent of Barolo wines from Piedmont, north-western Italy. The grape's very name is evocative of its home among the misty foothills of the western Alps; the nebbia (Italian for 'fog') after which it is named frequently arrives on early October mornings, when the Nebbiolo harvest is in full swing.
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 12 in Stock
Pierre Seguinot, 1971
Grande Champagne Cognac, Cognac
bottled for The Folio Society Ltd
Landed London 1980, bottled London 1991
A rare and distinguished expression, the 1971 Pierre Seguinot from Grande Champagne stands as a testament to time, craftsmanship, and terroir. Distilled over half a century ago, this Cognac reflects the essence of the Premier Cru of Cognac—its chalky soils and long aging potential infuse this spirit with remarkable finesse and depth.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A captivating bouquet of dried apricot, toasted walnuts, orange peel, and fine rancio. Layers of antique oak, beeswax, and old leather reveal themselves gradually, inviting contemplative nosing.
Palate: Silky yet structured. …
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Price: £325.00
Stock: Out of Stock
Rheinhessen, 1971
Niersteiner Riesling Spatlese
A historic Rheinhessen Spätlese Riesling from the Nierstein vineyard, showing the depth and character of long bottle aging.
Deep amber-gold in the glass, with aromas of dried apricot, honey, candied citrus peel, and a hint of classic Riesling petrol that aficionados love.
The palate is soft and off-dry, with flavours of honeyed orchard fruit, tea, and gentle spice, finishing long and warming. A collector’s curiosity — a wine that shows its age beautifully and rewards those who appreciate aged Riesling’s signature personality.
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Price: £34.95
Stock: Out of 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: £289.00
Stock: Out of Stock