1976 Wine and Port Vintage
Vintage Summary and Recommendations:
1976 Wine – 50 Year Old Anniversary Wines
Welcome to Vintage Wine & Port’s 1976 wine collection. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, this is a vintage with real charm and historical significance. Across Europe, the year was shaped by a long, hot summer, and in the best regions this produced wines with character, maturity and lasting appeal. These qualities make 1976 wines and Ports a wonderful choice for a 50th anniversary or milestone birthday gift.In key regions such as Portugal and Bordeaux, well-stored bottles from 1976 can offer beautifully developed flavours and a genuine sense of occasion. Aged Ports from this year are especially appealing, combining richness, balance and drinkability, while the best clarets provide elegant mature structure. Our selection focuses on bottles from trusted producers and well-kept cellars, helping you choose with confidence.
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: Quinta da Devesa 1976 Colheita Port
A beautifully matured single harvest tawny Port with depth, poise and excellent drinkability. Presented in its own gift box, it is a superb choice for a 50th anniversary gift.
Best Value: Rivesaltes 1976 L’Archiviste
A beautifully matured fortified wine offering exceptional value for a 50-year-old vintage. Extended ageing has developed rich notes of dried fruits, caramel and spice, making it a delicious and accessible alternative to Port for a 1976 anniversary gift.
Classic Bordeaux: Chateau Cantemerle, 1976
A mature Haut-Médoc showing the charm of traditional claret, with softened structure and the savoury complexity that comes from long bottle age.
Vintage Port Choice: Messias 1976 Colheita Port
A beautifully matured Colheita Port from a long-established Portuguese house, offering rich notes of dried fruits, caramel and spice. Fully aged in cask and ready to enjoy now, this is a classic and dependable choice.
Fine & Rare Selection: Château Léoville Barton 1976
A rare Second Growth Bordeaux from the renowned Saint-Julien appellation. In a vintage where only the best estates have stood the test of time, Léoville Barton remains one of the most dependable, offering mature cedar notes, refined structure and a true sense of classic claret at 50 years of age.
This Year in History: This Year in History: Fun Fact: The first commercial Concorde flights took off, ushering in supersonic passenger travel. 1976 was also the year of the United States Bicentennial, celebrating 200 years since the Declaration of Independence.
Eurovision Winner: United Kingdom with the song "Save Your Kisses for Me" by Brotherhood of Man
Top Grossing Movie: Rocky
France: 1976 was a warm, dry vintage in France, led by Bordeaux, where the best wines now show classic mature character with finesse and balance.
Read full France vintage report
The 1976 vintage in France was defined by an exceptionally hot and dry summer, which placed considerable stress on the vines and led to uneven results across many regions. Yields were often reduced, and in some cases the wines lacked balance. However, the best producers — particularly in Bordeaux — managed the conditions carefully, producing wines that have matured into elegant and characterful examples of the vintage.
In Bordeaux, the wines are generally lighter in structure than those from great years, with less concentration but a refined, classical style. Now at full maturity, many Left Bank clarets display tertiary characteristics such as cedar, tobacco, leather and earthy notes, alongside softened dark fruit. Tannins have largely resolved, and the best bottles offer a gentle, balanced drinking experience rather than power. As a result, provenance and storage conditions are especially important when selecting a 1976 Bordeaux today.
Sauternes was one of the more successful areas in 1976, benefiting from the warm conditions which helped to concentrate sugars in the grapes. The resulting wines can be rich and expressive, showing developed notes of honey, dried apricot, marmalade and spice. While not as universally long-lived as the greatest vintages, well-stored examples can still provide a deeply satisfying and fully mature sweet wine experience.
Elsewhere in France, the vintage was more variable. Burgundy, in particular, struggled with the heat, and many wines are now past their peak. Overall, 1976 is a vintage where careful selection is essential, but the best bottles — especially from trusted producers and well-maintained cellars — offer charm, maturity and a genuine sense of history at 50 years of age.
Italian: Italy experienced a more challenging vintage in 1976, though the best wines from top producers and favoured sites have developed into fully mature and characterful bottles.
Read full Italy vintage report
The 1976 vintage in Italy was generally inconsistent, with weather conditions varying significantly across regions. Cooler periods and uneven ripening meant that many wines lacked the structure and concentration required for long-term ageing. As a result, a large proportion of wines from this year are now past their peak, particularly those from lesser producers or less favourable vineyard sites.
However, in the hands of skilled producers — especially in regions such as Piedmont and Tuscany — careful vineyard management and selective harvesting allowed for the production of wines with sufficient balance and structure to age. These wines have now reached full maturity and offer a distinctly savoury and evolved profile.
At fifty years of age, the best Italian 1976 wines show developed characteristics of dried cherry, herbs, leather and earthy complexity, with softened tannins and gentle acidity. They are best appreciated for their nuance and tertiary character rather than fruit intensity, appealing to those who enjoy fully mature, traditional styles of wine.
Overall, 1976 in Italy is a vintage where selectivity is essential. Well-stored bottles from reputable producers can provide an interesting and rewarding drinking experience, but expectations should be for subtlety and evolution rather than power or freshness.
Portugal: Portugal experienced an extremely hot and dry vintage in 1976, producing low yields but concentrated and characterful Ports.
Read full Portugal vintage report
The 1976 vintage in Portugal followed the driest winter on record, with drought conditions continuing throughout much of the summer until late August. These challenging conditions significantly reduced yields, resulting in a very small overall production. However, the grapes that were harvested were highly concentrated, leading to wines with notable depth and intensity.
In the Douro, the Ports produced in 1976 are generally full-bodied and rich, with concentrated flavours developed from the dry growing season. While some wines can lack a degree of freshness due to the prolonged heat, the best examples retain balance and structure, offering a powerful yet mature drinking experience.
Vintage Port from 1976 is relatively rare today, but well-preserved bottles from traditional houses such as Messias can still show impressive depth and character. These wines now display fully evolved notes of dried fruits, spice, leather and nutty complexity, making them a compelling and authentic choice for those seeking a true bottle-aged Port from this vintage.
Colheita Ports from this year have also performed particularly well. Extended ageing in cask has allowed these wines to develop exceptional complexity, with notes of dried fruits, caramel, nuts and spice, making them consistently reliable and ready to enjoy.
Overall, 1976 is a vintage where careful selection is key, but both top Vintage Ports and well-aged Colheitas can offer a rewarding and memorable experience. A well-chosen Port from this year makes an excellent and meaningful choice for a 50th anniversary or birthday gift.
78 products found.
Chateau Clos L'Eglise, 1976
Pomerol
The 1976 Clos de l'Église is a wine from the Pomerol appellation in Bordeaux, France. Pomerol is renowned for its Merlot-driven wines that exhibit richness, depth, and finesse. The 1976 vintage, while not among the top Bordeaux vintages, offered ripe and approachable wines due to a very warm and dry growing season, leading to earlier-maturing wines with softer structures.
Wine Overview
Clos de l'Église is a respected estate in Pomerol, producing small quantities of wines that highlight the appellation’s signature elegance. The 1976 vintage is likely composed of:
Merlot (dominant): Providing lush, ripe fruit flavors and softness. …
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Price: £155.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Haut Batailley, 1976
Pauillac 5th Growth Classification
1976 Château Haut-Batailley – A Mature Pauillac from a Warm Vintage
The 1976 Château Haut-Batailley comes from a vintage defined by a hot, dry summer, resulting in wines with ripe fruit, moderate acidity, and early accessibility. As a fifth-growth estate in the Pauillac appellation, Château Haut-Batailley is known for producing wines with finesse and balance, often leaning toward an elegant rather than overpowering style. The 1976 vintage initially produced wines with good structure and warmth, but over the years, they have softened and evolved into more delicate, tertiary-driven expressions of classic Bordeaux. …
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Price: £120.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau Kirwan, 1976
Margaux 3me Cru Classe, Bordeaux
The 1976 Château Kirwan is a fascinating vintage from this historic Third Growth estate in Margaux. Produced during a year marked by extreme heat and drought, the wine was initially celebrated for its ripe fruit and generous character. However, with nearly 50 years of aging, its evolution has been highly dependent on storage conditions, making each bottle a unique experience.
With time, the wine has developed tertiary characteristics, offering aromas of aged wood, dried fruits, leather, and hints of green herbs. The palate is soft and smooth, with subtle remnants of red fruit, though the structure has likely mellowed significantly. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau La Lagune, 1976
Medoc Grand Cru Classe
The 1976 Château La Lagune is a well-aged Third Growth Haut-Médoc, originating from a hot and dry vintage that led to early-ripening wines. The 1976 Bordeaux vintage produced wines that were initially rich and ripe, though some lacked the acidity for long-term aging. Now, nearly 50 years later, this wine remains a fascinating example of how well Haut-Médoc wines can evolve with proper storage.
With time, the 1976 La Lagune has developed complex aromas of black currants, leather, cocoa, and mint, reflecting its maturity. The palate is described as medium-bodied, juicy, and balanced, with softened tannins and lingering flavors of red and blackberries. …
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Price: £119.00
Stock: 15 in Stock
Chateau La Lagune, 1976
Medoc Grand Cru Classe Clearance Offer - Damaged labels | Was £119 | Now £105
The 1976 Château La Lagune is a well-aged Third Growth Haut-Médoc, originating from a hot and dry vintage that led to early-ripening wines. The 1976 Bordeaux vintage produced wines that were initially rich and ripe, though some lacked the acidity for long-term aging. Now, nearly 50 years later, this wine remains a fascinating example of how well Haut-Médoc wines can evolve with proper storage.
With time, the 1976 La Lagune has developed complex aromas of black currants, leather, cocoa, and mint, reflecting its maturity. The palate is described as medium-bodied, juicy, and balanced, with softened tannins and lingering flavors of red and blackberries. …
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Price: £105.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Latour, 1976
Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe (Top Shoulder, glue banded label)
Very dark for its age; meat juice and tobacco on the nose, convincing complexity, a lot of tannin, almost some primary fruit, minerals, lovely balance, complex and very long, powerful. A hint of fruit sweetness in the finish.
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Price: £425.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Chateau Latour, 1976
Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe
Very dark for its age; meat juice and tobacco on the nose, convincing complexity, a lot of tannin, almost some primary fruit, minerals, lovely balance, complex and very long, powerful. A hint of fruit sweetness in the finish.
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Price: £445.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Leoville Barton, 1976
St Julien 2me Growth Classification
The 1976 Château Léoville Barton is a fully mature Saint-Julien that reflects the warm, dry conditions of the vintage and the estate’s traditional, Cabernet-driven style. In the glass, it shows a pale garnet-brick colour with a delicate tawny rim, signalling its long evolution.
The nose is soft, mellow, and charmingly old-school, opening with dried redcurrant, cedar, tobacco leaf, and old leather. Secondary notes of forest floor, dried herbs, and a touch of spice emerge with gentle air, offering the complex bouquet only decades of bottle age can bring.
On the palate, the wine is light to medium-bodied, with softened tannins and a silky, mature texture. …
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Price: £149.00
Stock: 8 in Stock
Chateau Leoville Barton, 1976
St Julien 2me Growth Classification
Clearance Offer - Bin Soiled Label | Was £149 | Now £130
The 1976 Château Léoville Barton is a fully mature Saint-Julien that reflects the warm, dry conditions of the vintage and the estate’s traditional, Cabernet-driven style. In the glass, it shows a pale garnet-brick colour with a delicate tawny rim, signalling its long evolution.
The nose is soft, mellow, and charmingly old-school, opening with dried redcurrant, cedar, tobacco leaf, and old leather. Secondary notes of forest floor, dried herbs, and a touch of spice emerge with gentle air, offering the complex bouquet only decades of bottle age can bring.
On the palate, the wine is light to medium-bodied, with softened tannins and a silky, mature texture. …
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Price: £130.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau Lynch Moussas, 1976
Pauillac 5th Growth Classification
Château Lynch-Moussas, a fifth-growth estate in Bordeaux's Pauillac appellation, has a storied history dating back to the 18th century. The 1976 vintage, characterized by a hot and dry growing season, produced wines that were initially approachable but not necessarily structured for long-term aging.
Tasting notes from well-preserved bottles of the 1976 Château Lynch-Moussas indicate that the wine has evolved over the decades. One such note describes the wine as having a medium-dark color, with an elegant nose featuring nutmeg spice, cedar, and cassis fruit. On the palate, the tannins are resolved, …
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Price: £119.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chianti, 1976
Santa Lucia - Pierluigi Branca *** BIG BOTTLE OF 5,0 LITERS ***
Chianti, 1976 – Santa Lucia (Pierluigi Branca)
Imperial Format – 5.0 Litres
The 1976 vintage in Tuscany was warm and consistent, producing classically structured Chianti with firm acidity and steady ageing potential. During this period, Chianti was still defined by traditional methods — extended ageing in large oak botti and a clear emphasis on balance over overt richness. Santa Lucia, under the direction of Pierluigi Branca, reflected this restrained and regional style, crafting wines intended for gradual evolution rather than immediate display. Presented here in an impressive 5.0 litre format, this bottle represents both the historic character of 1970s Chianti and the celebratory tradition of large-format releases. …
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Price: £295.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chianti, 1976
Le Piazze - Piccini
This mature Chianti comes from Le Piazze, part of the historic Piccini estate in Tuscany, renowned for crafting age-worthy Sangiovese wines with elegance and finesse. The wine displays a deep ruby-red colour with garnet highlights, reflecting over forty-five years of careful maturation. On the nose, it reveals aromas of dried cherries, plum, gentle spice, leather, and subtle earthy notes of forest floor. The palate is smooth and balanced, with softened tannins carrying flavours of stewed red fruits, hints of orange zest, and delicate herbal nuances. The finish is long, elegant, and harmonious, showcasing the wine’s depth, finesse, and classic Tuscan Chianti character. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Dolcetto, 1976
Ovada, Cantine Tre Castelli
*** BIG BOTTLE OF 5,0 LITRES***
This mature Dolcetto hails from Cantine Tre Castelli in the Ovada region of Piedmont, an area celebrated for producing vibrant, fruit-driven Dolcetto wines with remarkable ageing potential. This exceptional 5.0-litre bottle displays a deep ruby-red colour with garnet highlights, reflecting over forty-five years of careful maturation. On the nose, it reveals aromas of dried black cherries, plum, gentle spice, and subtle earthy notes of leather and forest floor. The palate is smooth and harmonious, with softened tannins carrying flavours of stewed dark fruits, hints of cocoa, and delicate herbal nuances. …
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Price: £369.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Dolcetto, 1976
Giordano
This 1976 Dolcetto from Giordano shows a fully mature, gently evolved character, shaped by decades of bottle age. The nose is subdued yet expressive, offering dried red cherry, stewed plum, and cranberry, layered with tertiary aromas of leather, autumn leaves, walnut shell, and dried flowers. A soft oxidative note recalls almond skin and old paper.
On the palate, the wine is light-bodied and fragile, with fruit firmly in the dried spectrum. Sour cherry and prune are supported by earthy, savory tones, while the tannins are fully resolved and the acidity softened, lending a delicate, almost ethereal texture. …
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 5 in Stock
Domaine de Chevalier, 1976
Graves Pessac-Leogan
Domaine de Chevalier, located in Bordeaux's Pessac-Léognan appellation, is renowned for producing both exceptional red and white wines. The 1976 vintage, now approaching five decades of maturity, offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of this esteemed estate's offerings.
Tasting Notes
Red Wine: A tasting note from 2020 describes the 1976 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge as exhibiting a soft balance and complexity, earning a score of 91 points.
Serving Suggestions
When serving a mature wine like the 1976 Domaine de Chevalier, gentle decanting is advisable to separate any sediment and allow the wine to breathe, enhancing its complex aromas and flavors. …
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Price: £119.00
Stock: 10 in Stock
Donnaz, 1976
Caves Coop Donnaz
Here’s a fully original, website-ready tasting note for the Donnaz, 1976 — Caves Coopératives de Donnaz, including contextual information and the refined 2–3 day decanting instructions:
Donnaz, 1976 — Caves Coopératives de Donnaz
This mature Donnaz comes from the Caves Coopératives de Donnaz in the Valle d’Aosta, a region renowned for its steep alpine vineyards and traditionally crafted Nebbiolo-based wines (locally known as Picotendro). The wine shows a garnet-red colour with brick-orange highlights, reflecting nearly five decades of careful ageing. On the nose, it reveals delicate aromas of dried red berries, rose petal, alpine herbs, leather, and subtle mineral notes reminiscent of mountain stone and forest floor. …
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Price: £79.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Franciacorta, 1976
Cantine Colosio
This mature Franciacorta hails from Cantine Colosio, a historic Lombard estate celebrated for producing traditional method sparkling wines with elegance and remarkable ageing potential. The wine displays a golden-amber colour with copper highlights, reflecting over forty-five years of careful maturation. On the nose, it offers aromas of dried apricot, toasted almonds, brioche, gentle honeyed notes, and subtle hints of hazelnut. The palate is smooth and refined, with fine, gentle bubbles carrying flavours of ripe stone fruits, toasted bread, and delicate nutty undertones. The finish is long, elegant, and harmonious, showcasing the wine’s depth, finesse, and classic Franciacorta character. …
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Price: £79.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Graham's
50 Year Old Tawny Port
100 Points Richard Mayson - World Of fine Wine
The Grahams 50 year old Tawny has a captivating deep orange-brown hue, framed by a dark walnut base and a pale green rim. It has complex aromas with layers of orange blossom, fruitcake and butterscotch, creating a balanced and concentrated sensory experience. The mouthfeel is substantial, rich and creamy with vibrant acidity, enchanting notes of seasoned wood, nutmeg, and cinnamon, and a lingering finish that endures on the palate.
Charles Symington, Graham’s Head Winemaker and Master Blender, selected two main components for the 50 Year Old blend. The first is a wine from 1969 known as 'CAS Reserve', which was originally set aside by Peter Symington to mark Charles’ birth, giving the wine his initials. …
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Price: £385.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Grignolino, 1976
Giordano
This 1976 Grignolino from Giordano presents a delicate, fully mature expression of one of Piedmont’s most idiosyncratic varieties. The nose is light yet nuanced, offering dried strawberry, sour cherry, and red currant, followed by subtle notes of dried rose petal, white pepper, and faded spice. Gentle tertiary aromas of old paper, almond skin, and dried herbs suggest careful aging.
On the palate, the wine is very light-bodied, with high transparency and a fragile structure. The fruit has softened into dried red berry tones, supported by modest acidity and the variety’s characteristic fine, persistent tannins. …
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Lagrein, 1976
Kellergenossenschaft Kurtatsch
This mature Lagrein comes from Kellergenossenschaft Kurtatsch, a respected cooperative in Alto Adige known for producing characterful wines that reflect the dramatic alpine landscapes of northern Italy. Lagrein, one of the region’s most distinctive indigenous varieties, is prized for its depth of colour and robust structure. After decades of bottle ageing, this 1976 vintage shows a deep garnet-red hue with brick-toned highlights, indicative of its graceful evolution.
On the nose, the wine reveals aromas of dried blackberries, plum compote, dark chocolate, and gentle spice, layered with notes of leather, tobacco, and subtle alpine herbs. …
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Price: £79.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Lessona, 1976
Aziende Agricole Sella
This mature Lessona comes from Aziende Agricole Sella, one of Alto Piemonte’s most historic estates, renowned for producing refined, long-lived wines from Nebbiolo grown on mineral-rich, sandy soils. The 1976 vintage displays a garnet-red colour with brick-orange reflections, showing the graceful evolution that only decades of careful ageing can bring.
On the nose, it reveals elegant aromas of dried red cherry, rose petal, wild strawberry, and gentle spice, layered with notes of leather, tobacco leaf, and a distinctive mineral nuance characteristic of Lessona’s terroir. The palate is poised and harmonious, with finely resolved tannins supporting flavours of cranberry, orange zest, subtle truffle, and earthy undertones. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Montepulciano, 1976
d'Abruzzo, Vino del Ceppetto - Guardinani Farvhione
Here’s a fully original, website-ready tasting note for the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, 1976 — Vino del Ceppetto, Guardinani Farvhione, including contextual information and the refined 2–3 day decanting instructions:
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, 1976 — Vino del Ceppetto, Guardinani Farvhione
This mature Montepulciano d’Abruzzo comes from Vino del Ceppetto, produced by Guardinani Farvhione, a traditional Abruzzese estate celebrated for crafting rich, age-worthy wines that reflect the warmth and character of the region. The 1976 vintage displays a deep ruby-red colour with garnet highlights, showing a graceful evolution over nearly five decades. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 5 in Stock
Nebbiolo, 1976
Fontanafredda
This mature Nebbiolo comes from Fontanafredda, one of Barolo’s most historic and esteemed estates, celebrated for producing elegant, age-worthy wines that express the classic structure and finesse of Nebbiolo. The wine displays a deep garnet-red colour with amber highlights, reflecting over forty-five years of careful maturation. On the nose, it offers aromas of dried red cherries, rose petal, gentle spice, leather, and subtle earthy notes of forest floor and tobacco. The palate is refined and balanced, with softened yet structured tannins supporting flavours of candied cherry, orange zest, hints of truffle, and cedar. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Nebbiolo, 1976
Clemente Guasti
This mature Nebbiolo comes from Clemente Guasti, a historic Piedmontese estate known for producing elegant, structured wines that capture the classic character of Nebbiolo from Barolo and surrounding areas. The wine displays a deep garnet-red colour with amber highlights, reflecting over forty-five years of careful maturation. On the nose, it reveals aromas of dried red cherries, rose petal, gentle spice, leather, and subtle earthy notes of forest floor and tobacco. The palate is refined and harmonious, with softened yet structured tannins carrying flavours of candied cherry, orange zest, hints of truffle, and cedar. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Nebbiolo D'Alba, 1976
Vietti
This mature Nebbiolo d’Alba comes from Vietti, one of the most esteemed estates in Piedmont, celebrated for producing elegant and age-worthy Nebbiolo wines that express the classic character of the Alba zone. The 1976 vintage displays a deep garnet-red colour with amber highlights, reflecting nearly five decades of careful maturation.
On the nose, it reveals aromas of dried red cherries, rose petal, gentle spice, leather, and subtle earthy notes of forest floor and tobacco. The palate is refined and harmonious, with softened yet structured tannins supporting flavours of candied cherry, orange peel, hints of truffle, and cedar. …
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Price: £129.00
Stock: 1 in Stock