1973 Wine and Port Vintage
Vintage Summary and Recommendations: A short summary of the 1973 Vintage with our top recommendations 1973 Wine and Port
The 1973 vintage was generally considered better than the preceding 1972 vintage, but it still wasn't a standout year for Port or wine production in Europe. In Portugal's Douro Valley, the 1973 vintage was not widely declared by Port houses. Some Port houses did produce and release 1973 vintage Ports, but they are generally considered to be of moderate quality as they tend to lack the richness and depth of better vintages. These wines would make a fabulous 53 year old wine gift for an Anniversary or birthday.
Our Wine Expert currently recommends the following wines for this year:
This Year in History: Television sitcom Last of the Summer Wine begins its first series run on BBC One.The Eurovision Winner was Luxembourg with the song "Tu Te Reconnaitras" by Anne-Marie David. Tom Kerridge, Chef, was born in this year and features on the reality culinary programs MasterChef, Saturday Kitchen, and Great British Menu.
Top Grossing Movie: The Exorcist
Bordeaux: Bordeaux 1973 wines are the product of a cold, wet summer, which was made worse by a rain in late August which bloated the grapes just before harvest. When released they were light, early drinking wines and time has not improved them! If you’re seeking a gift to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, we would recommend a bottle of colheita Port or a 1973 Montilla Moriles.
The 1973 wine vintage produced an enormous crop of easy drinking wines full of succulent fruit. The best examples from vineyards that adopted good selection are still drinking well today, although wines from Pauillac and Graves stand out. The weather was dry and warm throughout most of spring, providing good conditions for flowering. Heavy rain fell during much of July, but the month that followed was hot and dry. September began fine, but wet conditions returned from the middle of the month onwards.
Italian: Only a small crop of 1973 wine was produced in Italy and the wines are now very rare. The growing season was held back by inclement weather in the main Italian wine regions of Piedmont and Tuscany. Tuscany produced a small crop of Brunello and Chianti, generally characterised as having good colour, high acidity and some dryness. The best of the vintage originates from the more southerly regions.
Portugal: 1973 was not declared and very little Port exists from this year. A wet winter followed by an inconsistent summer led to a small crop. In 1973 there was a lack of quality spirit to fortify the grapes resulting in very little Port being made. Remarkably, we discovered a cask of 1973 white colheita Port at Devesa and persuaded them to bottle it exclusively for us.
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Quinta da Devesa, 1973
Finest Reserve White Port in Gift Box
50cl Bottle
WAS £119 Half Price Special Offer £59
The Quinta da Devesa White Port is made with grapes from the 1973 harvest and matured in cask until bottling in 2022, this is a fabulous white Port that is golden in colour, with a nose of sweet spices, iodine, wood notes and candied citrus. The palate is elegant, bright and offers a nice acidity, with citrus and honey, backed with concentrated old wood notes of cedar and walnut. A stylish finish with notes of lemon zest and molasses. Highly recommended!
1973 Devesa Reserve White Port is actually a 1973 Colheita White Port but has to be bottled under 'Reserve' label as the barrel was put aside for family and friends and so was not formally registered. …
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Price: £59.00
Stock: 15 in Stock
Ryst Dupeyron Armagnac, 1973
Ryst Dupeyron Reserve Joseph Millesime vintage Armagnac
50cl bottle
Includes original orange colour cardboard gift box
A well matured 1973 Vintage Armagnac suitable for sipping neat to fully appreciate its depth and complexity.
Tasting Notes
The 2007 Ryst-Dupeyron Armagnac is a rich, inviting blend of dried fruits, vanilla, caramel, honey, spices, leather, tobacco, and a slight nuttiness. The nose is rich and inviting, with dominant notes of prunes, figs, and apricots. The palate is smooth and warm, with a harmonious blend of dried fruit, honey, toffee, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, and citrus zest. The finish is long and satisfying, with lingering oak, spice, and warmth.
Serving & Food Pairing
Armagnac is traditionally enjoyed neat, allowing you to fully appreciate its complexity. …
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Price: £149.00
Stock: 7 in Stock
Toro Albalá, 1973
Don PX in Gift Box
Montilla-Moriles
20cl Bottle
Toro Albala 1973 PX 20cl luxury gift bottle
Toro Albala are famous for their award-winning vintage Pedro Ximenez (PX) wines. We are delighted to offer this 95 Point, 1973 PX Montila-Moriles presented in a beautiful 20cl gift pack
The dehydrated grapes fermented between 3% and 9% and then the wine was fortified and today bottled at 17%. Very perfumed and aromatic, a little exotic, with even some minty notes. The palate is very concentrated, round, with an oily texture that fills your mouth. An elegant endless finish.
Tasting Notes
With a residual sugar content of 320g/litre this is a dessert in a glass! The nose is complex with layers of dried fruits, …
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Price: £79.95
Stock: 16 in Stock
Toro Albalá, 1973
Don PXin Gift Box
Montilla-Moriles
75cl Bottle
95 Points - Robert Parker
Pedro Ximénez (often abbreviated as PX) is a sweet, fortified wine primarily produced in Spain, especially in the regions of Jerez (Sherry) and Montilla-Moriles. It is made from the Pedro Ximénez grape, which is sun-dried to concentrate its sugars before fermentation. The result is a wine that is intensely sweet, rich, and dark, with a syrupy texture.
Often described as "dessert in a glass," PX wines are bursting with flavors of raisins, molasses, dried figs, caramel, chocolate, and nuts like toasted almonds or hazelnuts. The wine’s sweetness is balanced by its complex and layered profile, making it a luxurious treat for the palate. …
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Price: £169.00
Stock: 12 in Stock
Amarone della Valpolicella, 1973
Masi
This wine is made from grapes harvested in various vineyards located on hills in the Valpolicella zone (Mezzane and Tregnago hills). Different sources and different grape varieties are important to obtain well-balanced wines with the fine structure that only a few single areas in the Valpolicella zone can provide. Notes: Color: strong ruby red. Clear and transparent. Bouquet: notes of vanilla and ethereal airs depending on the period of aging in the barrel; notes of sweet fruits such as currants, blueberries, cherries depending on the varieties of grapes. Flavor: wine with a velvety, raisiny character combined with the structure and typical stylish bitterness to give it good balance. …
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Price: £249.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1973
L. Rivetti
Was £129 Clearance | Last Bottle £95
Barbaresco is one of the great wines of Italy's north-western Piedmont region. This aristocratic red has its vineyards situated in the Langhe, on the right-hand side of the Tanaro river and extending from the area north-east of Alba to the communes of Barbaresco, Nieve and Treiso. The dominant variety grown is Nebbiolo, but Dolcetto and Barbera also play a part. The vines are generally grown on limestone-rich marl soils. similar to the Tortonium soils of the Barolo and La Morra areas in Barolo. Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo and shares its cult status as one of the finest wines in the world. …
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Price: £95.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbera, 1973
Vietti - Bussia
Clearance Offer - Last Bottle | Was £79 | Now £49.20
Barbera is a wine of prestige, rich colors that refer generally to the ruby purple, just what clothes cardinals; the bouquet is ample and composite, with fruity notes of blackberry, cherry, strawberry and red fruit jam and spicy aromas reminiscent of cinnamon, vanilla, green pepper.
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Price: £49.20
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbera, 1973
Renato Ratti
Was £89 Clearance Offer £55.90
Barbera is a wine of prestige, rich colors that refer generally to the ruby purple, just what clothes cardinals; the bouquet is ample and composite, with fruity notes of blackberry, cherry, strawberry and red fruit jam and spicy aromas reminiscent of cinnamon, vanilla, green pepper.
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Price: £55.90
Stock: 14 in Stock
Barbera d'Alba, 1973
Salvano Saverio
Clearance Offer - Last Few | Was £79 | Now £53.70
Barbera is a wine of prestige, rich colors that refer generally to the ruby purple, just what clothes cardinals; the bouquet is ample and composite, with fruity notes of blackberry, cherry, strawberry and red fruit jam and spicy aromas reminiscent of cinnamon, vanilla, green pepper.
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Price: £53.70
Stock: 2 in Stock
Barbera d'Asti, 1973
Cantina Soc Casorzo - Riserva
Clearance Offer - Was £99 | Now £49
Barbera is a wine of prestige, rich colors that refer generally to the ruby purple, just what clothes cardinals; the bouquet is ample and composite, with fruity notes of blackberry, cherry, strawberry and red fruit jam and spicy aromas reminiscent of cinnamon, vanilla, green pepper.
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Price: £49.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Barolo, 1973
Bersano - RARE BIG BOTTLE of 3,78 Liters
Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
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Price: £499.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1973
Terre del Barolo - RARE BIG BOTTLE of 3,78 Liters
Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
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Price: £499.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1973
C. Valletti - Riserva - RARE BIG BOTTLE of 3,75 Litres
Clearance Offer | Was £449 | Now £329
Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
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Price: £329.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1973
Giovanni Scanavino
Clearance Offer - Last Bottle | Was £159 | Now £99
Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Bordeaux, 1973
Ginestet
Bordeaux, in the south-west of France, needs little introduction to anyone with an interest in wine. One of the world's most prolific wine regions, it also manages to rank among the most famous and prestigious. The secrets of Bordeaux's wine success (other than magical Bordeaux Blend) are its three trump cards: diversity, quality and quantity. The majority of Bordeaux wines are the dry, medium-bodied reds that made the region famous.
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Price: £119.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Botticino, 1973
Emilio Franzoni
Clearance Offer - Last Bottle | Was £69 | Now £32.50
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: £32.50
Stock: 1 in Stock
Brunello di Montalcino, 1973
Castiglione del Bosco
Clearance Offer - Last Bottle | Was £169 | Now £95.60
Brunello de Montalcino is one of Italys most famous and most expensive red wines. It is produced in the vineyards surrounding the town of Montalcino located about 70 miles (110 km) southwest of Florence in the Tuscany wine region. Brunello, roughly translated as "nice dark one" is the unofficial name of the clone of Sangiovese used in production.
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Price: £95.60
Stock: 1 in Stock
Cannonau Di Sardegna, 1973
Sella & Mosca
Was £89 Clearance | Last Bottle £46.90
The Cannonau (also known as Cannonao, Cannonadu or Canunau) is the most popular wine from the island of Sardinia. It's mostly produced in the centre of Sardinia, even if we can find production of this famous wine in all the island. The grapes used for this Sardinian wine is the Cannonau. (At least 90 % of this grapes has to be used to be certified as original Cannonau). Cannonau is a very "strong wine" so it should be used with elaborate red meat and some types of cheese.
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Price: £46.90
Stock: 1 in Stock
Cannonau Di Sardegna, 1973
Sella & Mosca - RARE BIG BOTTLE of 3,78 Liters
The Cannonau (also known as Cannonao, Cannonadu or Canunau) is the most popular wine from the island of Sardinia. It's mostly produced in the centre of Sardinia, even if we can find production of this famous wine in all the island. The grapes used for this Sardinian wine is the Cannonau. (At least 90 % of this grapes has to be used to be certified as original Cannonau). Cannonau is a very "strong wine" so it should be used with elaborate red meat and some types of cheese.
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Price: £399.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Batailley, 1973
Pauillac 5th Growth Classification
1973 Château Batailley – A Mature Bordeaux for the Curious Collector
The 1973 Château Batailley is a wine from a vintage that had its challenges, yet it remains an interesting piece of Bordeaux history. As a fifth-growth estate in Pauillac, Château Batailley is known for its structured, Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines, built for aging. However, the 1973 growing season was marked by wet conditions later in the summer, leading to lighter, more delicate wines with softer tannins and a less concentrated profile than in stronger vintages.
Now, over 50 years later, the 1973 Château Batailley is likely well past its peak, with faded fruit and a more tertiary-driven character. …
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Boyd-Cantenac, 1973
Cantenac Margaux 3rd Growth Classification
The 1973 Château Boyd-Cantenac is a well-aged Third Growth Margaux, though it originates from a difficult vintage. The 1973 Bordeaux growing season was marked by cool and wet conditions, leading to lighter wines with limited aging potential. As a result, many wines from this year were best enjoyed early, and those that remain today are fragile and highly dependent on storage conditions.
Now over 50 years old, this wine may still display soft, delicate aromas but is likely to have faded fruit and a weaker structure. Boyd-Cantenac is known for producing elegant and balanced wines, but the vintage’s challenges mean its longevity is uncertain. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau Duhart Milon Rothschild, 1973
Pauillac 4th Growth Classification
The 1973 Château Duhart-Milon is a well-aged Fourth Growth Pauillac, originating from a weaker Bordeaux vintage. The 1973 growing season was marked by cool and wet conditions, resulting in lighter wines with limited aging potential. Now, over 50 years later, this wine remains a historical curiosity, though its condition will vary significantly depending on storage.
Tasting notes suggest that the fruit has faded, leaving behind earthy and oaky characteristics with medium acidity, softened tannins, and a short finish. While some well-preserved bottles may still offer a glimpse into its past structure, this vintage is generally considered past its prime and should be approached with measured expectations. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, 1973
Pessac-Léognan
Magnum 1.5 litres
Level top shoulder or better
1973 Mission Haut Brion
It took a skilled winemaker to produce a good wine this year, and luckily those at this storied second label were successful. The winemaker called this "a good bottle from a difficult vintage," saying, "The abundant production of the year is evident in this wine. Above all it has been affected by the profuse rains during July and September. The color is light and rather developed. The ever-present woodiness is uncertain. As for the nose, one already has the feeling of a dominant old wine. The wine is light and agreeable at the attack but the finale is more delicate. …
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Price: £795.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau Lascombes, 1973
Margaux 2nd Growth Classification, Bordeaux
Château Lascombes 1973
Vintage & Background
The 1973 vintage was a challenging one in Bordeaux, with uneven weather, and many wines from that era suffer from deterioration. Lascombes, a Second Growth (Deuxième Cru) from Margaux, had a mixed reputation in the 1970s, but some bottles from this vintage have held up surprisingly well with age, assuming excellent provenance and storage.
Appearance & Nose
In a mature glass, this wine often shows a colour with sienna or amber hues at the rim, softening into light ruby or garnet at the centre. On the nose, there are notes of tart cherry and pomegranate, with a hint of menthol or olive, and accompanying earthy-mushroom tones. …
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Price: £119.00
Stock: 9 in Stock
Chateau Saint Pierre, 1973
Château Saint-Pierre-Sevaistre, St Julien
The 1973 Château Saint-Pierre-Sevaistre is a well-aged Saint-Julien wine, originating from a historically divided estate that was later reunited under Château Saint-Pierre. The 1973 Bordeaux vintage was challenging, with cool and wet conditions, resulting in wines that were lighter and meant for early drinking. While some bottles may still offer glimpses of their original character, most have likely passed their peak.
With over 50 years of aging, this wine may still display delicate aromas of dried rosehips, faded tobacco, and tea, with flavors of red currant and cranberry. However, its structure has likely softened, and its longevity is dependent on careful storage. …
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Price: £74.95
Stock: 20 in Stock