Casa Ferreirinha : Barca-Velha 2015

The 2015 Barca Velha shows aromas of dark berries, warm stones, cigar box and garrigue, as well as a floral, violet-like note. The nose is vivid, but the palate is restrained, with a mysterious charm. Formidable concentration, fine-grained tannins and timid dark-fruit flavors. There is an underlying structure that should evolve nicely over the years. It has a serious profile. Fragrant and structured with an elegant element. Better in five years.

I hate the comparison of Barca Velha with Vega Sicilia because they don't have much in common other than being historical wines in Portugal and Spain, respectively. But I must say that the 2015 Barca Velha makes me think of a modern Vega Sicilia because of the nose, which is spicy and smoky, with ripe berry fruit, notes of graphite, herbs, flowers and spices. Well, and they are both wines from the Douro/Duero River... This was produced with a blend of grapes from Quinta da Leda and other higher-altitude places in the Douro Superior and is composed of 43% Touriga Francesa, 40% Touriga Nacional, 10% Sousão, 5% Tinto Cão and 2% Tinta Roriz. 2015 was a balanced year, not cold(-ish) like 2008 and not as warm as 2011, which changes the blend between higher- and lower-altitude vineyards. It matured for 18 months in French oak barrels, close to 75% of them new. The palate is a little lighter than I expected, only medium-bodied, with abundant tannins and a dry finish. 16,672 bottles produced. It was bottled in 2017 and kept in bottle for seven years.