Luis Seabra Xisto Ilimitado Branco 2021

Luis Seabra Xisto Ilimitado Branco 2021

Luis Seabra Vinhos
Douro Valley, Portugal

The Branco Xisto Ilimitado is a 60/20 blend of Rabigato and Viosinho, with 10% each of Códega and Gouveio, all aged for nine months in used French oak. It comes in at 12.3% alcohol this year.

DON'T let the price fool you, this is not some intro wine or second wine of Luis'. It is made with the same TLC as his more expensive wines.  He makes this in higher volumes which gets the price down as the fruit sources is larger.  The more expensive wines are more pricey because he makes a lot less of them.

Tasting Note Luis Seabra Xisto Ilimitado Branco 2021
This needs time to open up so make sure you open this a while ahead of time - it can seem shy at first but trust me this will last 3-4 days in the fridge just re-sealing with a cork. Medium lemon yellow, starbright edges.  The nose is med/med+ (more + in 20) mixed rocks and fruit, crushed sweet lemons and zest, green apple, spring peach, florals, and crushed stones.  The palate is medium bodied, with med acidity, and med+ flavor intensity.  Finishes long with med+ intensity.  Chablis, Chenin Blanc, Aligote, and Assyrtiko drinkers pay attention - gorgeous wine.

The Xisto Ilimitado is a wine that offers a look at the dominant soil type in the Douro Valley through the lens of a wine glass.  This is a terroir driven, fresh, mineral-laden white that showcases the beautiful schist soils of the Douro.

• 60% Rabigato, 20% Viosinho, 10% Codega, 10% Gouveio (Godello). 30-45 year old vines, planted to mica schist at 500-600 m (1,640 -1,968 ft) elevation.
• Sustainbly grown vines planted in 1989 in granite soil at 50-150 m (164-492 ft) elevation.
• The pressing of destemmed and crushed grapes was done with no added sulfur and without maceration.
• 90% fermented in used barrel; 10% fermented in stainless steel. All indigenous wild yeast fermentation. Aged in 90% used barrel and 10% stainless steel. 1 year of lees contact with no battonage.