Ferrer Bobet
Vinyes Velles 2015
Priorat, Spain
Ferrer Bobet’s Vinyes Velles is an old vine blend of Carignane (70%) and Grenache (30%). 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 18 months. Bottling is unfined and unfiltered, and the wine is bottle aged for a minimum of 11 months.
Color
Red
Appellation
Priorat, Spain
Suggested Retail Price
$64.00
Reviews
"Bright cherry character"
James Suckling - April 9, 2019 "This really captures the freshness of the carignan grape with its bright cherry character. Medium-to full-bodied with spice from the grenache and excellent vitality on the long, crisp finish."
"Quite polished"
Wine Advocate - August 30, 2019 "The old-vine cuvée 2015 Vinyes Velles is a blend of 67% Cariñena and 33% Garnacha from 70+-year-old vines on the slopes of the village of Porrera, and it aged in French oak barrels for 15 months. This is the only wine from this tasting where I found very ripe aromas and some development, showing faintly oxidative. The palate feels quite polished, like the fruit is fading faster than the tannins. 24,851 bottles and 500 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2017."
"Great complexity and finesse"
Decanter - September 26, 2019 "Deep, dark though not saturated black-red. Dense, close-grained aromas of great subtlety and complexity: a sense of stone and savoury depths as well as sweet yet austere black fruits. Deep, dark, vivid and profound yet provocative flavours which, as the aromas suggested, tread the fine line between sweetness and austerity (thanks to the Carignan-dominated blend). There is great complexity and finesse here."
"Terrific balance, it’s a seamless Priorat"
Jeb Dunnuck - March 27, 2020 "The old vine 2015 Vinyes Velles checks in as a Carignan-dominated blend from vines just outside the village of Porrera that includes one-third Grenache, all of which spent over a year in French oak. It’s a bigger, riper, sexier wine than the Ferrer Bobet cuvée and boasts a deep purple color as well as rocking notes of black plums, black licorice, ground pepper, violets, and new leather. Ripe and full-bodied, with moderate acidity and terrific balance, it’s a seamless Priorat."
"Broad and tender"
Wine Spectator - May 11, 2020 "This red shows flavors of plum, licorice, mountain herb, cocoa and toast. The texture is broad and tender, but firm tannins and balsamic acidity give this backbone."
"Impressive energy"
Vinous - March 19, 2021 "Opaque violet. Heady, mineral- and spice-accented black and blue fruit and floral scents pick up hints of vanilla and licorice with air. Densely packed cherry, cassis and floral pastille flavors unfold slowly, supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Shows impressive energy and solid dark fruit thrust on the impressively long finish, which is framed by slowly building tannins."
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.