2011 Casa Ferreirinha Barca Velha Douro

Established in 1952, Barca Velha was the first top quality still wine from the Douro and set the standard for Casa Ferreirinha. Over the decades, the range has expanded to include wines with different profiles, such as Reserva Especial, Vinha Grande and Papa Figos.

Heir to more than 270 years of history, the name Casa Ferreirinha is inspired by the great figure of the 19th century, Dona Antónia Ferreira – affectionately known as "Ferreirinha".

The stunning wild beauty of Quinta da Leda is home to 160 ha of vineyards with countless different terroirs of red varieties such as Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, all grown in integrated production mode.

A jewel of viticulture and enology, it is the birthplace of both the iconic Barca Velha and Quinta da Leda, a deep, intense red that brings out the best of this terroir in excellent years.

Casa Ferreirinha wines begin life in the vineyards carved into the hills and valleys of the Douro. These vineyards on stony slate soils, at different altitudes and exposures, with dozens of different red and white varieties, can withstand harsh winters and hot summers.

Knowledge and expertise capture the best of each location and variety to create quality wines that are consistent, vibrant and fresh, or intense and complex, for different occasions.

What is unusual is that Casa Ferreirinha has only had three technical directors in 70 years - and they all worked together on one stage! Luís Sottomayor started at Casa Ferreirinha at a young age. He is the third and current chief oenologist. He worked for years with the second, José Maria Soares Franco, who was trained by the very first, the creator of Barca Velha, Fernando Nicolau de Almeida.

The 2011 Barca Velha, the latest offering of this late release wine, is a blend of 45% Touriga Franca, 35% Touriga Nacional, 10% Tinta Roriz and 10% Tinto Cão. This has matured in French oak for about 18 months. It comes out to 14.7% alcohol by volume. The price of these is usually determined by the market (although it was about 250 euros at the producer's wine club), list prices that are nothing like what could happen. I've heard that some retailers are making $800 a bottle, which is ridiculous.