2021 Luis Seabra, Granito Cru Branco, Alvarinho

Luis Seabra’s Granito Cru Alvarinho is a deliberate subversion of the variety's typical aromatic profile, prioritizing the geological signature of Melgaço over primary fruit expression. Sourced from sustainably farmed 30-year-old vines rooted in decomposed granite, the fruit undergoes spontaneous fermentation in neutral 1,000L and 2,000L Eastern European oak vats. Seabra utilizes a 12-month aging period on the lees without bâtonnage and permits full malolactic fermentation to build mid-palate density while anchoring the wine’s structural nerve. The 2021 vintage was defined by a cooler growing season that preserved a lean 12% alcohol and high acid retention, resulting in an architectural white with significant tension and a saline finish. The final profile is austere and phenolic, characterized by a granular texture that reflects the uncompromising mineral reality of the Monção e Melgaço sub-region.