Luis Seabra Xisto Ilimitado 2021 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
92/100 - Gismondi on Wine Tasted: Sep 2024
Ilimitado is a soil survey of the schist-driven terroir in the Douro, regardless 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. Scrubby herbs, fragrant rockrose, wild blackberry, and juicy plum are woven throughout the medium palate, pinned by finely grippy / schistous tannins and lofted by elevation, finishing with a graphite ferrous kiss. Super smart snapshot, drinking beautifully now and with time ahead. (Treve Ring).
Producer: Luis Seabra Vinhos - Douro