Ferrer Bobet
Vinyes Velles 2017
Priorat, Spain
Ferrer Bobet’s Vinyes Velles is an old vine blend of Carignane (74%) and Grenache (26%). It’s produced from some of the best steep slate hillside and terraced vineyards in Priorat. Though the “second wine” of Ferrer Bobet, the initial 2005 release put Ferrer Bobet on the wine world map. Two of the most important publications in Spain named it their wine of the year, and accolades came pouring in from Russia, the UK and the US. It launched the Ferrer Bobet mission of creating wines of elegance and purity, and the message has resonated.
VINEYARD
The vineyards are managed in a way fundamental to the philosophy of Ferrer Bobet: the development of a strict organic viticulture which completely excludes the use of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.
The grapes grow on vineyard sites with steep terraces and hillsides. Grapes are picked by hand and placed into small 10kg bins. Berry by berry selection takes place on a double sorting table and the grapes are then transferred to tanks by gravity.
WINEMAKING
Fermentation takes place in 15 and 30 Hl wooden and stainless steel tanks, with malolactic fermentation and aging in fine-grained, lightly toasted new French oak barrels for 16 months. Bottling is unfined and unfiltered, and the wine is bottle aged for a minimum of 11 months.
VINTAGE
In 2017, the harvest yields of Northern Spain were drastically reduced by Spring frost. Although quantities were lower overall, the resulting wines were of excellent quality, with great concentration, higher acidity and a very ripe, pure expression of fruit.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Carignane, Grenache
Appellation
Priorat, Spain
Alcohol
14%
Suggested Retail Price
$64.00
Reviews
"Amazing balance and a very tasty finish"
Wine Advocate - January 7, 2021 "The 2017 Vinyes Velles was produced with 74% Cariñena and 26% Garnacha from slope vineyards older than 70 years on llicorella slate soils all within the limits of the village of Porrera. All of the wines are produced in a similar way—fermentation after a short cold soak, with pumping over and punching down and macerated until the taste tells them it's enough. This wine matured in 225-liter French barriques for 16 months. In a warmer year, the high percentage of Cariñena has worked wonders; it has herbal and floral aromas and a rustic side but is mostly elegant. It's beautifully textured, and the tannins are very fine; there is no sense of heat at all, and it has amazing balance and a very tasty finish. The oak is perfectly integrated. These wines have a very low pH, as there is no potassium in the slate soils and the wines keep good freshness."
"Pure, polished expression"
Decanter - February 23, 2021 "Sergi Ferrer-Salat and Raül Bobet, with their glorious winery, have always presented a model for the pure, polished expression of Cariñena, in particular their Selecció Especial, a worthy DWWA winner in the past. The Garnacha in this blend is harmonious, with a tempting lift of acid just at the finish."
"Powerful and precise"
Vinous - March 19, 2021 "Shimmering violet. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red berries, cherry pit, incense and candied rose, and a smoky mineral nuance builds in the glass. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering deeply concentrated raspberry and cherry liqueur, fruitcake and mocha flavors accented by an exotic spice note. Powerful and precise, with strong finishing power, resonating spiciness and chewy tannins framing lingering cherry and floral notes."
"Depth, freshness and harmony"
Wine Spectator - July 7, 2021 "The medley of black cherry, currant and plum is focused and lively and flanked with tar, smoke and spice undertones. This has depth, freshness and harmony of flavors." - G.S.
Reviews
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Priorat
Priorat, Spain
Ferrer Bobet Priorat is the second vintage of a Priorat produced primarily from Ferrer Bobet’s own vineyards. It fulfills the vision of elegance, freshness and detail that were the reasons for starting the estate. It is a Carignan based blend, based on low vigor and high quality rootstocks and clones, aiming for perfectly balanced vines.
Selecció Especial
Selecció Especial Vinyes Velles is 100% Carignane from hundred year old vines in some of the best vineyards in Priorat, in one of the coolest, steepest and highest elevations of the appellation, factors which contribute to optimal phenolic ripeness and help preserve flavors and acidity. A wine of truly profound fruit and minerality.
