Luis Seabra Xisto Ilimitado 2021

Xisto Ilimitado is Luis Seabra's Douro field blend, a coupage of Touriga Franca, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Roriz, Rufete, Tinta Barroca, Malvasia Preta and Donzelinho Tinto. The fruit comes from four vineyards at around 400 metres in the Cima Corgo, planted on clay soils shot through with yellow slate. That schist and clay mix drains well and stores little heat, and the altitude brings cooler nights that hold acidity and keep alcohol to a fresh 12 percent, low for the region. Winemaking follows Douro tradition: about 30 percent of the grapes are foot-trodden in stone lagares while the rest is de-stemmed, a gentle extraction that draws colour and fine tannin without harshness. The wine is aged in used oak, which lends slow oxygenation and texture rather than wood flavour. It shows a medium red, with a nose of redcurrant, cherry and pomegranate over dried herbs, earth and a clear stony minerality. The palate is fresh and finely detailed, medium in body with grainy tannin and a long savoury finish. Serve at 16 degrees, decanted if young. It suits grilled red meat, lamb and mushrooms.