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 52 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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67 products found.
Cabernet, 1973
Cecilia Danieli Butrio
A classic red Italian wine made from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. The wine has aged to produce a garnet core with a clear rim. Lots of oak, leather and soft tannins remain.
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Price: £59.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Cannonau Di Sardegna, 1973
Sella & Mosca
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: £79.00
Stock: 2 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: 4 in Stock
Chateau Branaire-Ducru, 1973
St Julien, 4th Growth Classification
The 1973 Château Branaire-Ducru is a rare find from the esteemed Saint-Julien appellation, a region known for producing refined and well-structured Bordeaux wines. As a Fourth Growth estate classified in 1855, Château Branaire-Ducru has a long history of crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines. The 1973 vintage, while produced in a challenging year, remains an interesting piece of Bordeaux history and a collector’s curiosity.
The 1973 vintage in Bordeaux was marked by heavy rainfall during the summer and harvest, leading to wines that were lighter in body with a more delicate structure. While this vintage did not have the power and longevity of more renowned years, …
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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 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
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, 1973
Martillac
The 1973 Smith Haut Lafitte was fully mature decades ago and has gracefully declined into an old wine with a mahogany core, notes of mushroom and farmyard, soft fruit, nice acidity and a moderate finish.
About Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a renowned wine estate located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, France. With origins dating back to the 14th century, the estate encompasses 78 hectares of vineyards planted on gravelly soils that are ideal for viticulture. The château produces both red and white wines, primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc, with smaller quantities of Sauvignon Gris and Sémillon. …
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Price: £129.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Talbot, 1973
St Julien 4th Growth Classification
A surprisingly good wine for the vintage, The 1973 Talbot is now in decline as the fruit recedes, and the dusty tannins and oak become more dominant, this medium ruby-coloured wine still has good body and enough interest in the bouquet to hold many people's attention.
Château Talbot, situated in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France, is renowned for its prestigious history and exceptional red wines. With origins tracing back to the 17th century, the estate's vineyards span approximately 107 hectares, primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. …
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Price: £149.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Chateau Talbot, 1973
St Julien 4th Growth Classification
A surprisingly good wine for the vintage, The 1973 Talbot is now in decline as the fruit recedes, and the dusty tannins and oak become more dominant, this medium ruby-coloured wine still has good body and enough interest in the bouquet to hold many people's attention.
Château Talbot, situated in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France, is renowned for its prestigious history and exceptional red wines. With origins tracing back to the 17th century, the estate's vineyards span approximately 107 hectares, primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. …
more >>>
Price: £149.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chianti, 1973
Melini
Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Chianti, 1973
Castello di Gabiano
Clearance Offer - Last Bottle | Was £99 | Now £65
Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
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Price: £65.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chianti, 1973
Barone Ricasoli
Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Corvo, 1973
Salaparuta
Corvo, a classic Sicilian wine, is produced from Sicilian vines cultivated on warm, sunny hills. Aged in oak barrels it is distinguished by its round, full-bodied and persistent flavour. Together with Corvo Bianco, Corvo Rosso was the first wine to be bottled in Sicily, back in 1824, and is now the best known red wine in Italy thanks to its excellent quality/price ratio and consistent quality. Extremely versatile, it goes well with grilled and roast meats and medium-aged cheeses.
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
D'Oliveiras Madeira, 1973
Verdelho Madeira
Rich and complex Madeira from the brilliant D’Oliveiras reserve.
A complex Madeira with a spicy-citrus nose and hints of marmalade. The wine has a rich palate, with a refreshing acidity balancing this medium dry wine to perfection. Excellent served slightly chilled as an aperitif but is also exceedingly good with soups, oysters, feathered game and patês. It has been bottled ready for drinking and will keep for several months after opening.
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Price: £325.00
Stock: 25 in Stock
Fiorano, 1973
Ludovisi Principe di Vinosa
Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, the wine ages in old 10-hectoliter Slovenian barrels. It has a bright, intense ruby color of medium concentration. The aromas are truly complex and pronounced with austere notes of tar, slightly smoky as well as balsamic tones along with accents of cassis and blueberry that merge into a broad aromatic spectrum of extraordinary elegance. The mouthfeel is silky, harmonious and full-bodied with just a hint of very fine tannins while there I absolutely no woodiness. The finish is agile and subtle with an excellent persistence.
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Price: £129.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1973
Crusted Port - Bottled in 1973
Badly Damaged labels
A very rare bottle of 1973 crusted port.
Crusted Port is a very small category, named because of the 'crust' of sediment that it forms in the bottle. Invented by the British-owned Port houses predominantly for the British Port drinker, it is intended to be a more economical alternative to Vintage or Late Bottled Vintage. Crusted is a blend of several harvests, which are bottled without being filtered and laid down to mature like Vintage wines. Using this approach allows the manufacturer to use some of the lesser harvests but still produce a good rich full bodied wine at an economical price. …
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Price: £225.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Frecciarossa, 1973
G. Odero
The Frecciarossa estate sits above the small town of Casteggio, in the hills of Oltrepò Pavese, at the same latitude as Piemonte, Burgundy and Bordeaux. Like these other famous regions, Oltrepo Pavese has been a wine growing area since the days of Ancient Rome. Its particular combination of soil (clay and lime), wine-making tradition and local climate account for Frecciarossa's unique terroir.
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Gattinara, 1973
F.lli Francoli
Clearance Offer | Was £119 | Now £79
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: £79.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Grignolino, 1973
Marchesi Villadoria
The Grignolino wines 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: £99.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Grignolino, 1973
Bruzzone *** RARE BIG BOTTLE 3,75 Liter ***
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: £329.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Grignolino, 1973
Mascarello Natale fu Maurizio
Special Offer Was £119 | Now £35
The Grignolino wines 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: £35.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Grignolino, 1973
Castello di Gabbiano
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: £59.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Grumello, 1973
Pellizzati
Clearance Offer | Was £89 | Now £30
Grumello is one of five viticultural sub-zones specifically identified as producing Valtellina wines of particularly high quality: the other four are Inferno, Sassella, Maroggia and Valgella.
Grumello is a sub-zone under Valtellina Superiore DOCG, and the vineyards are named after a castle from the 1300s, that is located between the cities of Sondrio and Montagna in the Valtellina valley. Grumello is not a village but an area immediately east of Sondrio, and covers the slopes immediately above the town.
The wines from this area are typically made from the Nebbiolo grape (locally known as Chiavennasca). …
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Price: £30.00
Stock: 8 in Stock