From sustainably farmed vineyards planted from 1920-1933 at 650-700m, this is a blend of 70 percent Rabigato, balanced out with Codega, Gouveio, Viosinho, and Dozelino Branco. According to Seabra, Rabigato is a fairly neutral grape, so is a natural terroir-transmitter. Minerality rings from the start, with flinty broken stones, a touch of light smoked stone, 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.
"The 2023 Xisto Cru Branco comes from a 90-year-old vineyard planted with a Rabigato field blend with 30% other grapes, Códega, Gouveio and Donzelinho Branco, in the village of Mêda at 750 meters above sea level. The bunches were destemmed and crushed before pressing and then the juice was let to decant for 48 hours. It fermented slowly in used 228-liter French oak barrels, where it matured with full lees and no bâtonnage for 12 months. It is serious and balanced, with integrated oak and a sense of harmony and freshness. It has a balanced mouthfeel and a velvety and very elegant palate with focused and clean flavors. It has good ripeness and 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.29 and 5.8 grams of acidity. 6,750 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2025."
- 94/100, Luis Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate
Luis works organically
