Seabra, Luis 2020 Xisto Illimitado Tinto

Luis Seabra has been at the center of a cultural shift in Portuguese winemaking, leading a movement of young, independent winemakers making history by reclaiming historical vineyards, grape varieties, and techniques. Seabra is dedicated to proving that fresh, elegant, terroir-driven still wines can be made in the Douro Valley. Luis Seabra works with old vineyards because he believes that mature vines are more resilient and well-equipped to handle the region’s intense weather; this makes them the best candidates to faithfully communicate special terroirs. Xisto Ilimitado is a Portuguese analogue to the idea of a “village” level Burgundy. A field blend of 7 varieties planted across 3 subzones in the Douro, Ilimitado is a survey of the schist-driven terroir in the appellation. Bright, focused and fresh, Xisto Ilimitado is a great introduction to the new Douro. This is a wine that offers an introduction to the dominant soil type in the Douro valley, schist soil which is mineral heavy and requires the roots to grow deep into the layers. Minimal interventionist winemaking. This is full-bodied red, traditional in a sense, but also atypically fresh and mineral driven, showcasing the purity of fruit achievable in the Douro valley. A blend of local varieties: Touriga Franca, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Roriz, Rufete, and Tinta Barroca