Viniou Reviews
Casa Ferreirinha’s 2021 Barca Velha is a revered red wine that stands as a flagship cuvée in the Douro region of Portugal. This vintage, like its predecessors, is predominantly composed from a blend of traditional Douro grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinto Cão, sourced from selected parcels of old vines. The grapes are handpicked and meticulously sorted before vinification, which involves long maceration periods to extract colour, tannins, and aromatic complexity. Ageing typically takes place in new French oak barrels for around eighteen months, imparting subtle notes of spice and vanilla, before further bottle maturation allows the wine’s structure to fully integrate.
The Douro Valley is one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions, renowned for its steep terraced vineyards lining the banks of the river Douro. The region benefits from a harsh continental climate: hot, arid summers and cold winters, tempered by the river’s moderating influence. The highly schistose soils force the vine roots deep into the earth, resulting in naturally low yields with remarkable concentration and minerality. The history of the Douro is intrinsically linked to the production of Port, but in recent decades its red table wines, and especially Barca Velha, have attained international acclaim.
Barca Velha is a powerful yet elegant wine, displaying layers of blackberry, cassis, wild herbs, leather, and cedar, complemented by a firm tannic frame and vibrant freshness. Pair it with rich, flavourful dishes: roasted or braised red meats such as lamb shank, beef ribs, or game stews, and mature cheeses like Queijo da Serra. For a regional experience, try it alongside a slow-cooked Portuguese feijoada or cabrito assado (roast kid goat), both of which will harmonise beautifully with the wine’s structure.
Allow this wine to breathe in a decanter for at least two hours before serving to reveal its full aromatic spectrum. Serve at a temperature of 16–18°C to fully appreciate its depth and complexity, and expect further evolution with careful cellaring for 15–20 years.
