Luis Seabra 2021 Xisto Cru Red 750ml

The 2021 Xisto Cru Tinto was produced with a field blend from two centenary vineyards in Douro, one in Ervedosa and the other one in Covas. It fermented in 3,500-liter oak vats and matured in 228-liter Burgundian barrels. It's a complex blend, but the old vineyards have a lot of Rufete that gives it some floral notes and Alicante Bouschet that gives color (it's a grape with colored pulp). It has some spices and smoke predominant at first, but with time in the glass, the wine develops notes of violets and blue fruit. The wine had almost two months of maceration, and it has very fine tannins and combines power with elegance in an unusual fashion while keeping a moderate 12% alcohol. It's vibrant and deep with very elegant tannins, fresh and persistent. 

Score: 95 points -- Luis Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate, 2024