Casa Ferreirinha : Barca-Velha 2011

Complex and rich, an exceptional Douro wine

The estate

Owned by the Sogrape Group, one of the most important Portuguese wine producers, Casa Ferreirinha is synonymous with one word: outstanding. Founded in the 18th century by Bernardo Ferreira, the house is renowned for its in-depth knowledge of the Douro vineyards and for the quality of its wines.

The wine

Created in 1952, Barca-Velha is one of the most prestigious and famous Portuguese wines. Produced only in the very best vintages and organically grown in the Douro DOC, Barca-Velha is the epitome of  Douro wines. This exceptional wine has forged the international reputation of Casa Ferreirinha, a brand renowned for the excellence of its Douro wines.

The vintage

The 2011 vintage was characterised by a cold and rainy winter, which enabled the soil's to replenish its water supplies. The summer weather conditions gave rise to a very good year, with grapes that showcased a well-balanced maturity.

Vinification and ageing

This wine is vinified at Quinta da Leda by Luis Sottomayor. The grapes used come mainly from the Quinta de Leda vineyard, with additional supplies from vineyards in different areas of the Douro Superior region. Following destemming, the grapes are gently pressed and placed in stainless steel tanks for alcoholic fermentation. Maceration is carried out under temperature control over a fairly long period in order to develop the wines' aromas, structure and rich colour.

The Douro Barca-Velha 2011 Casa Ferreirinha was aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. The final blend was made after an extremely rigorous selection of the best wines and regular tastings and analyses of the blends and barrels. The wine is filtered before bottling.

The blend

Touriga Franca (45%)

Touriga Nacional (35%)

Tinto Cão (10%)

Tinta Roriz (10%).

Casa Ferreirinha’s Barca-Velha 2011: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

This fine Douro red wine has a beautiful, intense ruby colour.

Nose

The nose is very intense and develops mainly spicy, balsamic, cedar and tobacco box notes before evolving into ripe red fruit. Subtle woody notes are present thoughout.

Palate

Energetic, this wine possesses a vibrant acidity and firm tannins that highlight the beautiful black fruit and balsamic notes. The finish is long and elegant and complex.

Food and wine pairing

Classic, elegant, this fine red wine from Portugal will complement red meat dishes, game or cheese.

Service

To fully relish this wine, it is advisable to place it in an upright position at least one day before the tasting so that the wine can decant in advance. We recommend opening the bottle 2 or 3 hours before serving to give the wine time to open.

Storage

Enjoy it now, this fine wine from Portugal has a great ageing potential. If stored in good conditions and horizontally, the wine can be kept until 2030 and beyond.