91pts Wine Advocate
The red 2021 Xisto Ilimitado has a clean, expressive, fruit-driven nose that is quite aromatic, almost floral, attractive and elegant. Made from purchased grapes in the Pinho zone, it was vinified with 100% full clusters in concrete and stainless steel and matured mostly in oak of different sizes for 15 months. The palate is juicy and fruit-driven, with fine and round tannins, a soft mouthfeel and a velvety texture. It has a moderate 12.5% alcohol, contained ripeness and a dry finish. There are some 70,000 bottles of this. Drink Date: 2024 – 2028

Luis Seabra produces wines in Douro, Do and Vinho Verde in Portugal and has a small collaboration with Saias in Ribeira Sacra where he works as a consultant. He also consults with a number of properties in Portugal, Muxagat, Textura and Quinta de Costa de Pinho, plus a new project in Douro. He now produces 180,000 bottles under his own name. The profile is elegant, clean and modern, with moderate ripeness and integrated oak, subtle wines in need of time in a decanter, the glass or in bottle.

Published:Apr 04, 2024

Luis Seabra, former winemaker at Niepoort and now one of Portugals most acclaimed independent voices, crafts Xisto Ilimitado (Unlimited Schist) as a pure and expressive snapshot of the Douros rugged terroir. This red blend showcases the character of old vines rooted deep in schist soils, delivering freshness, balance, and a true sense of place.

Technical Notes

• Grape Varieties: Field blend of indigenous Douro grapes, including Touriga Franca, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Roriz, Rufete, and others

• Region: Douro Valley (Cima Corgo & Douro Superior)

• Vine Age: 2050+ years

• Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in stainless steel; gentle extraction; aging for 12 months in used French oak barrels (228L & 500L)

• Farming: Minimal intervention, organic principles, emphasis on site transparency

Terroir
The wine is drawn from several old-vine parcels planted on steep, terraced slopes of fractured schist, the defining rock of the Douro. These poor, stony soils force the vines to root deeply, yielding naturally low yields and wines of intensity, tension, and mineral edge.

Tasting Notes
The 2021 Xisto Ilimitado Tinto is elegant and lifted, with aromas of wild red berries, violets, fresh herbs, and a touch of graphite. On the palate, it balances ripe cherry and blackberry fruit with savory spice, schist-driven minerality, and fine-grained tannins. Medium-bodied and vibrant, it finishes long and fresh, showing both Douro depth and Burgundian finesse