Luis Seabra Xisto Cru Douro Tinto 2019

Luis Seabra Xisto Cru Douro Tinto 2019

From 100 year old vineyards in Covas and Ervedosa, this is aged in 2500 litre tanks. It is fermented for 28 days, pushed down by hand. Very fresh and structured with firm tannins, good acidity, and great concentration of flavour. Taut and structured with nice freshness and great potential.

Rather than a single vineyard, this is a single soil field blend, sourced from two plots planted on mica schist in the Cima Corgo subregion of the Douro from 1920-1933, and between 400-570m altitude. After a native ferment, this field blend of Rufete, Touriga Franca, Malvasia Preta, Alicante Bouschet and Donzelinho Tinto spent 11 months on lees, and 22 months total in older French oak. Big and structural, yet so well knit, with knotty purple and blue fruit, thorns, worn leather, salts, and dried florals on the savoury, long frame. Tannins are savoury and firm, though very well integrated even in youth. Much time to go ahead.