The Douro wines of Sogrape’s Casa de Ferreirinha, including Barca Velha, Portugal’s most famous table wine
Sogrape is a big company with a wide range of wines, but also has some gems in its range, most notably Barca Velha, Portugal’s most famous still red wine, which has been made since the 1950s and only released in the best vintages. These wines were tasted at the Vinha da Casa event in Lisbon, May 2025.
Casa Ferreirinha Vinha Grande 2022 Douro, Portugal
This is affordable (€10.99 in Portugal) and very good. Beautiful aromatics of floral blackcurrant fruit with a hint of olive. The palate is fresh and direct, and fruit driven, with nice grippy structure and some purity. Notes of gravel, tar, olive and spice. 93/100
Casa Ferreirinha Callabriga 2022 Douro, Portugal
This is 100% from the Douro Superior. Floral, fresh and fine on the nose. Some red and black cherry with a bit of spicy grip on the palate. Elegant, warm and finely spiced with nice grip and some grainy structure that works really well. 94/100
Sogrape Casa Ferreirinha Quinta de Leda 2021 Douro, Portugal
In the late 1980s/beginning of the 1990s production of Barca Velha moved from Vale Meão to Quinta de Leda. Lovely structure and density here with good acidity and grip, as well as intense fruit. Very stylish. 94/100
Sogrape Casa Ferreirinha Quinta da Leda 2020 Douro, Portugal
14% alcohol. 43% Touriga Franca, 37% Touriga Nacional, 11% Tinto Cão, 5% Tinta Roriz, 4% Sousão. Destemmed, then aged in French oak, 50% new. Lovely aromatics: taut and focused with floral red cherries and berries as well as a hint of savoury olive and spice – the oak is completely hidden. The palate is fresh and vivid with nice acidity and firm but well managed tannins behind the sleek, fresh cherry and berry fruits. Has a hint of sour cherry on the finish. This is like a very well managed super-Tuscan in style, with ripe fruit but also freshness and structure. The vintage may well have been challenging in the region, but the size of the estate makes selective blending possible and the result is utterly compelling. This should age effortlessly for many years. 95/100
Sogrape Casa Ferreirinha Barca Velha 2011 Douro, Portugal
14.5% alcohol. 30 000 bottles made this year plus some magnums. Wonderful savoury, spicy complexity here with cherries and blackberries, fine spices and some mineral quality. Shows some savoury intensity. The palate is fresh but has some spicy warmth and nice complexity. Very refined with a touch of cedar, spice and iodine. Such a lovely expressive with with real intensity and depth. 96/100
