Luis Seabra - Xisto Cru Branco White 2020

70% Rabigato, remaining balance field blend of Códega (10%) , Gouveio (10%) and Viosinho Dozelino Branco (10%) . Sustainably farmed vineyards planted from 1920-1933. Tended in mica schist soil from 650-700 m (2,133-2,297 ft) elevation. This is a vegan wine.

Xisto Cru Branco is a single vineyard wine—a rare find in the Douro—that Seabra says is a “magical place that no one can replicate.” It is intended as a clear expression of terroir and place. Sustainably farmed vines, and vinified using only spontaneous fermentation and indigenous yeasts. This way he removes all potential variability other than the soil type as an expression of terroir.

The grapes are spontaneously fermented in small used barrels using indigenous yeast. The wine spends a total of 12 months in used French oak barrels that are dedicated solely to making Xisto Cru Branco and which never spend more than a day or two empty. No batonnage. This wine goes through full malolactic and is bottled with no added stabilizers.

The vineyard, called “Soalheira,” or “sandy,” is in the southern part of Douro Superior, in eastern Douro near the Spanish border. The soil here is mica schist, which is Seabra’s favorite for making white wines. The extreme elevation (2,000+ feet) plus a sunny southern exposure makes for long, consistent ripening, and this site is the latest harvest but still, the wines only fall between 12-13% abv.