Douro Barca Velha Casa Ferreirinha 2015 (750ML)

97 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "The 2015 Barca Velha shows aromas of dark berries, warm stones, cigar box and garrigue, as well as a floral, violet-like note. The nose is vivid, but the palate is restrained, with a mysterious charm. Formidable concentration, fine-grained tannins and timid dark-fruit flavors. There is an underlying structure that should evolve nicely over the years. It has a serious profile. Fragrant and structured with an elegant element. Better in five years." 10/24

18.5 Points, Julia Harding, JancisRobinson.com: "Released June 2024. A blend of 43% Touriga Franca, 40% Touriga Nacional, 10% Sousão, 5% Tinto Cão, 2% Tinta Roriz from Sogrape's top plots on the Quinta da Leda estate and other higher-elevation vineyards in the Douro Superior, just 12 km from the border with Spain. The vineyards are planted on rolling hills on the south bank of the Douro and are a complex patchwork of plots, each matched to a specific grape variety. Soils are composed predominantly of schist, which fractures vertically and allows the vine roots to delve deep to access water and nutrients. According to Sogrape's tasting booklet, 'The vintage was notably dry at the start, with March recording half the expected precipitation and temperatures higher than normal from April to May. The summer months were very hot, however, the soils benefited from great water reserves. Despite the vegetative cycle being 1–2 weeks early, temperature variations throughout August and September allowed for good ripening.' Vinified at the gravity-fed Quinta da Leda winery, the hand-harvested grapes were co-fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks with intense pumping over. Following fermentation, the wine was aged in Vila Nova de Gaia for 18 months in French oak barrels, 75% of which were new. The final blend is a barrel selection. Aged 7 years in bottle prior to release in June 2024. TA 5.5 g/l, pH 3.6. Deepest crimson with purple rim. Rich, spicy black fruit, dark and savoury like the Douro's best. Blackcurrant and blueberry sweetness. Ultra-fine tannins, so refined, elegant and incredibly well balanced for such a young Barca Velha. Powerful but so harmonious you barely feel the power. Immense length. The tannins are extremely fine and a little thicker than in the 1999. As it opens, there's more violets and more of Touriga Nacional's floral perfume. The tannins build in the mouth but they are still refined, polished – smoother at this age than they would have been in the older wines, I suspect. Head winemaker Luís Sottomayor described the 2015 as having 'The body and structure of 2011 but the freshness and elegance from 2008'. (JH) (Drink between 2030-2050)" 06/24