2019 Prats & Symington Chryseia
Producer: Prats & Symington
Region: Douro Region,
Country: Portugal
Grapes: 55% Touriga Franca, 45% Touriga Nacional
Vintage: 2019
ABV: 14%
Vivino: 4.6
Drink By: 2039
Occasional Wine Note: You will likely not find a host of wines from the Douro region of Portugal at your local wine shop outside of fortified wines. The Douro region is home to the famous Port wine, but some of the same grapes used in Port production are also used to produce hearty complex dry red wines like the one we have on this list. Both Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional are dark skinned grapes native to Portugal, but they have different flavor profiles.
The Touriga Nacional produces bigger bolder Cabernet-like flavor qualities, as well as Cabernet’s aging potential. In fact, it has recently been added as an approved blending variety in the Bordeaux region as a means of keeping pace with climate change. Touriga Franca by contrast is a lighter bodied, more aromatic grape. Together these create a balanced blend that brings out both beauty and the beast. This is a great representation of why the Douro region’s strong reputation for producing great dry red wines in addition to the one they already have for their Ports will proliferate in the US.
Wine Spectator
Critic Score: 96
This wine is the result of a joint venture between Bordelais Bruno Prats and the Symington family in the Douro. It has an impressive mix of elegance, density and concentration. It's a wood-aged wine that's packed with dark plum, berry and rich tannins, which will lend well to cellaring. Drink from 2025.
James Suckling
Critic Score: 93
Polished nose with aromas of plums, blueberries, cedar, chocolate and praline. It’s full-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Delicious depth of fruit. Give this a couple more years. Drink from 2022.