Luis Seabra Xisto Ilimitado 2019 Tinto
€ 19.12
Xisto Illimitado, by famed Douro winemaker Luis Seabra, is a Portuguese analogue to the idea of a “village” level Burgundy. A blend of old vines planted to six different red grape varieties at 400-600m in elevation on schist soils. It certainly showcases the ‘raw’ expression in Luis’ philosophy, with bright berry fruit backed up with a heavy dose of minerality and black pepper notes. The grapes come from slightly younger vines, making the wine slightly younger accessible.
Food-Pairing
Pair with roast game or poultry, or ratatouille
Grapes: 30% Touriga Franca, 20% Tinta Amarela (Trincadeira), 20% Tinta Roriz, 10% Rufete, 10% Tinta Barroca, 5% Malvasia Preta, 5% Donzelinho Tinto
30% fermented in stone lagar with foot pigeage; other 70% in vat, 100% whole cluster. Maceration – lagar for 8 days; vat for 25 days. Racked to neutral barrel for 1 year followed by 5 months in tank. 100% natural yeast fermentation (no cultivated yeasts)
Alcoholcontent
13%
Store & Serve
Decant for an hour prior to serving . Serve at 16 - 18 ºC. Can be drunk up to 7 years after harvest
Awards & Critics
94/100 - The Wine Front Tasted: Feb 2024
90/100 - Gismondi on Wine Tasted: Mar 2022
Illimitado is a soil survey of the schist-driven terroir in the Douro, irregardless of grapes. This year, field blends of grapes from Cotas and Ervedosa do Douro in the Cima Corgo were sourced, with vines between 35 and 60 years, planted in Patamares and large terraces from 400-550m, predominantly on loamy clays and yellow slate. 40% of the grapes were fermented whole cluster in Lagares, foot trodden, with 8-10 days maceration. The remaining 70% fermented whole cluster in stainless tanks, with 20 to 30 days maceration. Both lots aged for 14 months in used French barrels. Mouthfilling wild blackberry, black cherry is seasoned with thorns, violets, balsamic, and ample cracked peppercorns. Tannins are ample and schistous lined, through a lingering violet finish. Tastes like Douro; tastes like schist. (Treve Ring).
Producer: Luis Seabra Vinhos
region: Douro
