2015 Casa Ferreirinha, Barca Velha - 斗羅河 DOC - 1 Bottle (0.75L)

PLEASE NOTE: This is a recurring auction. The seal number(s) you see on the photos might differ from the one(s) on your bottle(s).

2015 Casa Ferreirinha, Barca Velha Red 1 x 0.75L
1 Bottle
Douro Region

18.5/20 Jancis Robinson score (2015 vintage)

DESCRIPTION
Sogrape is Portugal's leading wine company, with an unparalleled presence, top brands and exceptional vineyards in the country’s main wine-growing regions: Vinho Verde, Douro/Porto, Dão, Bairrada, Bucelas and the Alentejo. Sogrape combines its in-house production with the purchasing of grapes from thousands of growers in a collective effort which nurtures – and brings to the world – the very best in Portuguese wines.
Casa Ferreirinha is the pioneer brand and leader in non-fortified Douro wines, with a history of more than 250 years, always in family hands. Knowledge and excellence are just some of the things that make Casa Ferreirinha a benchmark in the world of wines.
Barca Velha is the epitome, the first, unquestionable symbol of the highest quality of Douro wines. Classic, intense, complex, elegant and rich, there are few adjectives to describe what has been, since its creation in 1952, the most celebrated Portuguese wine. Barca Velha is the basis on which the reputation of Casa Ferreirinha was formed, the specialist brand with the greatest tradition of quality in the Douro and one of its main global references. Barca Velha is only declared in truly exceptional years

WINEMAKER: Luis Sottomayor.

AWARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS
98 Points, Revista de Vinhos
20 Points, Vinho Grandes Escolhas
18 Points, Jancis Robinson (2011 Vintage)
100 Points, Cellar Selection, Wine Enthusiast (2008 Vintage)
96 Points, Tom Cannavan (2008 Points)
95 Points, Robert Parker (2008 Points)
94 Points, Wine Spectator (2008 Points)
17.5 Points, Vinum Magazine (2000 Vintage)

WINE VARIETIES: Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinto Cão & Tinta Roriz.

VINIFICATION
Vinified in the Quinta da Leda winery, using selected grapes mainly from this estate, but also from elevated areas in the Douro Superior. After destemming and gentle crushing, the grapes were put into stainless steel vats, where alcoholic fermentation took place. A long, gentle maceration was carried out at a controlled temperature in order to extract the compounds that contribute to the colour, aroma, flavour and longevity of the wine. It was matured in barrels of French oak for a period of about 18 months. The final blend was made based on the careful selection of the best wines, resulting from the numerous tastings and analyses carried out on the different existing blends and barrels, throughout this period. It is in this selection that the "secret" of Barca-Velha lies. So as to preserve the highest quality, it was subjected to filtration only before bottling.

TASTING NOTES
Deep ruby color. Very intense and complex scent, spurring the shrub notes such as olive leaf, olive paste, black fruit, spices, pepper, balsamic, cedar and tobacco box, stony, with a very well-integrated discrete wood. In the mouth he has a powerful attack, vibrant acidity, living tannins, spice notes, berries, with a very long end of great elegance.

SERVING
It is suggested that it be savoured calmly, paired with more elaborate meat dishes, game and even some cheeses, with exquisite, well integrated flavours. It should be placed vertically the day before drinking 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 16ºC-18ºC.