Le Sommelier Mixed Case: Luis Seabra

Wine Type:
Style of Wine:	Various
Country of Origin:	Portugal
Grape Varietal:	Various
Bottle Format:	750mL
Case Size:	6 bottles
$318.72 Per Case ($53.12/btl)

Tasting Notes

This mixed case contains the following wines:

1x Granito Cru Branco 2018, Dão.

This is the first vintage of Granito Cru from Dão, and the 35+ year old vines of Encruzado, Bical and Sercial are rooted in the high altitude granite soils off the Serra da Estrela Mountain, in the village of Vila Nova de Tazém. The wine was native fermented and aged for 1 year in 500 L used barrels, and then into stainless for 6 months prior to bottling. This pours a hazy / cloudy pale yellow hue, and teems with wild lemon, meadow grass, subtle lemon blossom, verbena, and crushed stone. Acidity is easily lofted, steaming this to an amply saline and lengthy finish. Subtle, yet striking, this is a charmer.

1x Véu de Xisto Branco 2015, Douro,

Being a fan of wines aged under veil of yeast in an oxidative way lead Luis to experiment aging a white wine for 3 years under flor. Rabigato, Códega, and Gouveio from 30 year old vines in Douro Superior’s Meda region were native fermented in 2x 500L barrels, and were left under the thin film of yeast, with no topping. It was moved to stainless for another 2 years’ rest prior to bottling in July 2020. 890 bottles were made.

1x Xisto Cru Branco 2019, Douro,

From sustainably farmed Douro Superiore vineyards planted from 1920-1933 on mica schists at 650-700m, this is a blend of 70 percent Rabigato, balanced out with Codega, Gouveio, Viosinho, and Dozelino Branco, native fermented and aged in French 229L barrels. It remained there on lees, with no bâtonnage, for one year, and then headed to stainless for a 6 month stint prior to bottling. Minerality rings from the start, with broken stones, meadow herbs, subtle dried quince, light anise and a pad of earthy lees to a flake salt and flint finish. Fantastic structure, finesse, and nonchalance, this is a joy to drink now and in future.

3x Xisto Ilimitado Tinto 2018, Douro,

A field blend of six varieties planted across three subzones, Illimitado is a soil survey of the schist-driven terroir in the Douro. This year the blend is led by Touriga Franca, and includes Tinta Roriz, Tinta Marcela, and Malvasia Preta in the mix, all sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards planted from 1960-1980, and at 400-600m. Entirely whole cluster, this was fermented 60/40 stainless vat and granite lagares with foot trodding. Opening young and grippy, with plum, wild blackberry, sarsaparilla, worn leather, blueberry on a bed of wet slate. There's a fine buzz that textures throughout to the lingering finish

Critical Praise

After a successful decade as winemaker at Niepoort, Luis Seabra decided to break out on his own, leaving his own name on the wines of Douro, and Vinho Verde. Rather than a single vineyard, Luis prefers to focus on single soils in his wines, such as Granito, and Xisto (schist). He seeks out old vines, and uses low intervention methods in vinification.