Barca-Velha is the epitome, the first, the unquestionable symbol of the highest quality Douro wines. Classic, intense, complex, elegant and rich, adjectives are few to describe what has been, since its creation in 1952, the most celebrated Portuguese wine. Barca-Velha is the foundation upon which the reputation of Casa Ferreirinha was built, the specialist brand with the longest tradition of quality in the Douro and one of its main global references.
Grape Varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz.
Tasting Notes: Deep ruby color. Very intense and complex aroma, highlighting shrubby notes such as olive leaf, olive paste, black fruit, spices, pepper, balsamic, cedar and tobacco box. Stony, with discreet and very well-integrated wood. On the palate it has a powerful attack, vibrant acidity, lively tannins, notes of spices, red fruits, with a very long and elegant finish.
Winemaking: Barca-Velha is vinified at the Quinta da Leda winery. For this vintage, grapes were selected predominantly from Quinta da Leda and from high-altitude areas of the Douro Superior sub-region. After total destemming and gentle crushing, the crushed grapes were transferred to stainless steel tanks and lagares (traditional stone troughs) with robotic pumps, where pre-fermentation cold maceration followed by alcoholic fermentation took place. During this period, gentle pump-overs and robotic "pigeages" were performed at controlled temperatures. A long post-fermentation maceration was also carried out to obtain the desired aromatic and polyphenolic extraction.
Maturation: The wines that, at this stage, potentially give rise to Barca-Velha, were transported to Vila Nova de Gaia immediately after the end of maceration where, after the finishing fermentations, they underwent "elevage" or maturation for 16 months in new French oak barrels with a capacity of 225 liters. The final blend was made based on the continuous selection of the best barrels, resulting from numerous tastings and analyses carried out during this period. In this rigorous organoleptic selection, guided by the traditional principles of Casa Ferreirinha, lies the true "secret" of Barca-Velha. To preserve its highest quality, Barca-Velha is bottled without treatment, and the formation of sediment is natural.
Storage: Although ready for consumption at the time of its presentation, Barca-Velha 2008 has long aging potential and evolves positively in a bottle that should be kept lying down. Its peak? Perhaps 15-20 years after harvest, although it is expected to remain so.
Serving: A mysterious and emotionally charged wine, Barca-Velha invites the selection of a discreet and refined setting, as well as the choice of company with whom this revelatory ritual will be shared. Savoring a Barca-Velha requires careful preparation according to the demands of the moment. Ideally, the bottle should be placed "upright" the day before and opened 2 to 3 hours before serving. With so many years in the bottle, the wine should be carefully decanted to separate its natural sediment. Ideally, it should be served at a temperature of 16ºC-18ºC.
Enjoy: It is suggested that it be savored slowly, accompanied by more carefully prepared meat dishes, game, and even some cheeses, with refined and well-integrated flavors.
Winemaker: Luís Sottomayor
