Barca Velha, Casa Ferreirinha 2008

This is the latest release of what has long been regarded as Portugal's iconic wine. And it is magnificent. The last vintage was the 2004 and the wait has now shown to be worthwhile. With its immense span and breadth of flavors and rich structure it is a superb manifestation of the great vineyards of the Douro Superior. Big bold fruits and acidity are matched by the tannins and concentration. Hold this for many years or at least wait until 2022.

The cool but dry winter was followed by rains in April and May that replenished the water reserves in the soil. A warm, dry summer produced a harmonious vintage starting at the end of August in Douro Superior. It has a superb deep black-red colour, with ripe black fruits and Douro spice on the nose. There is terrific energy, depth and vineyard purity on the palate, velvety and rich. It's still a baby, but there are no hard edges so it could be opened and appreciated now, although it's better to wait until the next decade. 50% Touriga Franca, 30% Touriga Nacional, 10% Tinta Roriz, 10% Tinta Cao. 2023-2050

The 2008 Barca Velha, the latest release of this late-released wine, is a blend of 50% Touriga Franca, 30% Touriga Nacional, 10% Tinta Roriz and 10% Tinto Cão. This is a classic 2008, crisp and elegant, radically different this year than the richer 2007 Reserva Especial (basically the same wine but for designation--that could've been designated as Barca Velha, too). After being opened about 18 hours previously, this showed rather well, but you may not find it quite as approachable if you don't give it some air. When you do approach it, be prepared to take more than a taste. It is easy to underestimate. Graceful in the mid-palate, with lifted fruit on the finish, its most notable feature is its finesse. It is a classic 2008 in that regard--dripping with grace, showing fine structure and impeccable balance. It seems simply effortless. Not particularly expressive or fruity in its youth, this tightens a bit as it airs out. The structure will allow it to age, although the mid-palate concentration is not nearly as impressive. As a typical 2008, that is to be expected to a considerable extent--this vintage never made its bones by mid-palate fleshiness or richness. Call it a Burgundy lover's vintage in Douro. On its own terms, this is pretty fine. Still a touch closed, this understated Barca Velha has considerable potential for improvement in the cellar. I'm still not sure it will have quite the aging curve that these wines ordinarily do, but they all hold rather well. There are about 700 bottles available for the USA out of a total of 18,000 produced.

This is the 18th release of Barca Velha since the first, in 1952. This blend of 50% Touriga Franca, 30% Touriga Nacional, 10% Tinta Roriz, 10% Tinto Cão encapsulates everything I like about this mild vintage perfectly. Its well-defined black fruit, freshness and notable spiciness. But being Barca Velha, as you would expect, it bristles with youthful potential – even in its 9th year. An impressive feat. A cool, very poised, elegant palate shows terrific intensity (rather than density) of tight-knit black (currant, some berry) fruit, a charge of sweet, ripe, super-fine tannins and tremendous perfume – fruit and oak spice (clove, anise) – to the back palate. This Barca Velha has wonderful resonance to its long lingering palate – there’s so much more to come. Doubtless, it will be delivered with like restraint and finesse. A true classic, with great pedigree and effortless balance. It was aged for 16 months in 225-litre new French oak barrels.