Casa Ferreirinha has just launched the new Barca Velha, the long-awaited Portuguese wine. Made from the 2008 harvest in the Douro Superior region, the predominant varietal is Touriga Franca and results in a balanced, elegant, delicate and complex wine. The tasting notes reveal a deep ruby colour and an intense aroma of ripe red fruits and spices, such as pepper and cloves. Worth highlighting on the nose are the balsamic and cedar notes, alongside resin and tobacco box, while notes of asparagus, artichoke and sous-bois are also present. On the mouth it reveals body, good acidity and intense tannins, with notes of red berries, pepper, clove and ginger. The finish is long and balanced. Representing the highest quality Douro wines since 1952, this is the estate’s 18th harvest which, according to chief winemaker Luís Sottomayor, is the perfect wine “for connoisseurs and wine-lovers”. The Barca Velha 2008 is on the market from November, with 18,000 numbered bottles.