In the glass
Aroma: blackberry, black licorice, floral, leather
Palate: black cherry, graphite, nutmeg, firm tannin
Portugal's most iconic dry red, made only in exceptional years from Douro Superior fruit: a structured, ageworthy wine with cedar, tobacco and a long mineral finish.
What it pairs with
-
Roast lamb
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Firm tannins and herbs frame roast lamb. -
Aged Serra cheese
Structure and acidity carry a rich sheep's cheese. -
Wild boar stew
Gamey richness meets the wine's dark fruit and spice.
History
Created by Fernando Nicolau de Almeida for Ferreira in 1952 after studying Bordeaux, Barca Velha proved the Douro could make a great dry red and is declared only in the finest vintages.
- 1952 — First Barca Velha vintage
- 2008 — Most recent declarations continue the rare-release tradition
Facts
- Producer
- Ferreira
- Grapes
- Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca
- Classification
- DOC Douro
- Oak
- Aged around 18 months in new and used Portuguese and French oak
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 400 to 700 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10 to 40 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1952
Scores
- Wine Advocate 97 (2011 vintage, reviewed 2021)
- Wine Spectator 96 (2008 vintage, reviewed 2018)