Tasting Notes: Barca Velha is the epitome, the pinnacle, the unquestionable symbol of the highest quality of Douro wines. Classic, intense, complex, elegantand rich it has also been, since its creation in 1952, the most celebrated Portuguese wine. Barca Velha is the basis upon which Casa Ferreirinha´s reputation has grown, the latter being the quality brand in the Douro and one of its main world-wide standard-bearers. Barca Velha is declared only in truly exceptional years (17 in all).
Barca Velha 2000 has an intense ruby hue and an exuberant and complex bouquet, with a strong presence of well-ripe red fruits such as plum and raspberry, and fine spice aromas, namely clove and cinnamon. Balmy aromas can also be detected, as well as tobacco and mint ones, all harmoniously combined with excellent-quality wood. In the mouth it shows remarkable structure and balance, fine acidity and firm tannins of superb quality. Tertiary aromas from ageing in the bottle can already be detected.
Serving at: 17/20ºC. Ideally the bottle should be placed upright overnight and opened 2 to 3 hours before serving. After so many years in the bottle the wine should be carefully decanted in order to separate its natural deposit.
Although it is ready for drinking as soon as released to the market, Barca Velha 2000 has a long potential shelf-life and a positive evolution in the bottle.Its apogee? Perhaps 15-20 years after the vintage, but it should be "live" for an as yet undetermined period of time. The bottle should be kept horizontally in a dry and cool place, sheltered from light.
We recommend with: Enjoy at leisure, with meat dishes, game and even some cheeses with refined flavour.
