Wines (12 View)

A traditional Portuguese field blend of 28 different varietals. Lush blue fruit notes are apparent upfront with subtle plum notes. The bouquet has a lovely floral aspect that holds your attention. On the palate the tannins and fruit are seamless from the first sip. The tannins are a bit chalky which adds another element to the wine. No oak, combination of concrete then stainless steel, results in a juicy easy drinking red that begs to be paired with bbq.

Xisto Illimitado, by famed Douro winemaker Luis Seabra, is a Portuguese analogue to the idea of a ?€?village?€? level Burgundy. A field blend of 6 varieties planted across 3 subzones in the Douro, Illimitado is a survey of the schist-driven terroir in the appellation. The Douro is the oldest demarcated appellation in Western Europe, chartered in 1756. Since 1986, the focus has diversified from the early days of fortified wine production in Porto, giving rise to a number of fine table wines that spearheaded the Portuguese wine market in America in the early 2000s. Luis Seabra, former winemaker at Nieeport, has focused his winemaking on the distinct soil types in the valley, and this latest project shows the breadth of style that is achievable in the region. Bright, focused and fresh, Xisto Ilimitado is a great introduction to the new Douro.

30% Touriga Franca, 20% Tinta Amarela, 20% Tinta Roriz, 10% Rufete, 10% Tinta Barroca, 5% Malvasia Preta, 5% Donzelinho Tinto. Sustainably farmed vineyards planted from 1960 to 1980 in schist soil at 400-600 m (1,232-1,968 ft) elevation.

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).

Bright garnet. High toned red and blue fruit aromas, tinged with wet stone and violets. On the palate, lush, but with bright acidity to balance the red cherry and pomegranate fruit. White pepper, slate and herbal aromas overlay the core of fruit on a juicy, fresh finish.

This blend brings together the aromatic intensity of Touriga Nacional, sophisticated delicacy of Tinta Roriz (better known in Spain as Tempranillo), and the structure and elegance of Touriga Franca. Fresh red fruits on the nose persist through the palate, announcing a young, energetic wine with swirling, well-integrated tannins and a lovely, long finish. - Winery

Organic

A blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Sousao, and Tinta Amarela. The wine comes from an intermediate region of the Douro, and climate here is almost Mediterranean. Schist soils. Fermented in concrete tanks where it ages for eight months.

#45 on The Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2021!

97 pts WIne Spectator
Juicy and muscular, with a ball of plum paste, warmed fig compote and black currant reduction flavors that need time to unwind. Ample graphite- and bramble-accented grip underscores the fruit on the finish, while a ganache note finds room to strut its stuff in the end. Should be one of the longer-lived wines of the vintage. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta C??o, Sous??o and Tinta Roriz.