1971

What we would buy, and why

Buy German. A 1971 Riesling Auslese from the Mosel or Rheingau is very likely to be alive and bright, and costs a fraction of a Bordeaux of the same age at €200–500. If the recipient will not drink anything sweet, go to Pomerol rather than the Médoc, where 1971 was hit and miss even among famous names.

1971 in the world

Britain went decimal on 15 February 1971 and shillings and pennies vanished overnight. The same year an engineer called Ray Tomlinson sent the first email between two computers, and picked the @ sign to do it.

Best bets for 1971

• J. J. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 1971 — the classic of the vintage, €250–450, and usually in fine condition
• A Saar or Mosel Auslese 1971 from Egon Müller, Maximin Grünhaus or Joh. Jos. Christoffel — €200–600 depending on the grower
• Château Trotanoy or La Conseillante 1971 — Pomerol made the strongest reds of the year
• Château d'Yquem 1971 for a landmark gift — around €700–1,000

How we grade a bottle

Fill level, label, capsule and cork, then provenance. Every bottle is checked by hand by people who have handled thousands of old bottles, and we write down the flaws as well as the good news. What the fill levels mean · How to choose a birth-year wine