Barca Velha represents the pinnacle of quality amongst Douro wine. Classic, intense, complex, elegant and rich, adjectives are inadequate to describe what is, and has been since its creation in 1952, the most celebrated Portuguese wine. Barca Velha is only declared in exceptional years and is the foundation upon which Casa Ferreirinha has built its reputation, a specialist brand with a long tradition of quality in the Douro and one of its main global references. Barca Velha has only been bottled on 18 occasions (up to and including 2008). Barca Velha 2008 has a deep ruby hue and an intense, complex bouquet with a strong presence of well-ripened red fruit, spices such as pepper and clove, and hints of balsamic cedar, resin and tobacco box. Notes of asparagus and artichokes, sous bois and aromas of high-quality oak mingle in perfect harmony. Its palate is full-bodied, with lively balanced acidity, intense tannins and notes of fresh red fruits, pepper, clove and ginger. It has an extraordinarily long, graceful and harmonious finish.
