2021 Luis Seabra Mono Alfrocheiro, Dão, Portugal

ABOUT THIS WINE

It is rare for a winemaker in Dão (let alone an outsider) to make a statement about Alfrocheiro, which is typically used just for blending. Under the thoughtful mastery of Seabra, Mono A allows both the natural charm and aromatics—backed up by the frontal tannin of granite terroir—to come through in a way that shows the promise of this little-known varietal.

100% Alfrocheiro. The grapes are harvested by hand, then fermented with indigenous yeast in a 5,000-liter wooden vat. 40% of the fruit is fermented whole cluster. After a 26-day maceration, the wine is racked into a 3,000L tonneaux made from Eastern European oak (just like those used in Piedmont), and it ages there for 14 months. The wine is bottled directly from barrel, with no fining or filtering. The only addition made is a small amount of sulfur at bottling.

Sustainably grown vines planted around 1987 tended in granitic soils with quartz. This is a vegan wine.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCE

For nearly two decades, Luis Seabra has been at the center of a cultural shift in Portuguese winemaking, leading a movement of young, independent winemakers making history by reclaiming historical vineyards, grape varieties, and techniques. Seabra started his career as a soil research analyst and winemaking professor; later, as a winemaker in Douro, he came to produce some of the most innovative and highly awarded wines in Portugal’s history. Seabra launched his own small winery in 2013, dedicated to proving that fresh, elegant, terroir-driven still wines can be made in the Douro Valley. Seabra is focused on working with old vineyards in Douro, as well as unique sites in neighboring DO Vinho Verde and Dāo. He believes that old vines are more resilient and well-equipped to calmly handle the region’s volatile weather, making them the best candidates to faithfully communicate a special terroir or vineyard site. Seabra’s fundamental understanding of terroir coupled with his philosophy of minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery have launched him into the international eye as a leader of the New Portugal; according to Eric Asimov, he “is now making some of Portugal’s most compelling wines, both white and red.” In addition to his own wines, Seabra is a highly sought-after consulting winemaker and a mentor to younger winemakers. He is known for his love of cuisine and pairing food with the best wines of the world.