Text Olga Cardoso | Translation Teresa Calisto

Last September 11, Prats & Symington presented their Chryseia 2012 at the Oporto restaurant Pedro Lemos, located at Foz do Douro, more precisely at Foz Velha (Old River Mouth).

Chef Pedro Lemos, who lends his name to the restaurant, was the author of the amazing menu that accompanied not just the Chryseia 2012 tasting, but also the tasting of the new harvests of Post Scriptum 2012 and Prazo de Roriz 2011 – the house’s two other references.

It’s important to mention that Chryseia is born from a partnership between the Prats & Symington families, to produce one of the most recognizable Douro DOC Wines in Portugal and abroad, of the last fifteen years. This was the first Portuguese still wine (the second harvest dated from 2001) to be on the “TOP 100” of the well-known magazine Wine Spectator, ranking at number 19 with 94 points. In January 2013, Chryseia 2011 received 97 points from the afore mentioned Wine Spectator, the second highest grade ever given to a still Portuguese wine.

Prats & Symington originated in 1999, from a partnership between the families, with the same surnames. The partnership between Bruno Prats, Bordeaux producer, former owner of Château Cos d’Estournel, and the Symington family, one of the biggest Douro vineyard owners (around 27 Quintas – Estates – with approximately 1.000 hectares of vineyards and with brands such as Graham’s, Dow’s, Warre’s, Cockburn’s, Quinta do Vesúvio and Altano on their portfolio) combines the traditions and the knowledge of two of the largest wine regions in the world, applying this knowledge to the unique varieties and terroir of the Douro valley.

The event was hosted by Bruno Prats and Rupert Symington, directors of Prats & Symington, and was attended by the best known Portuguese press and trade members. Nobody wanted to miss the presentation of this remarkable wine!
The lunch began with pigeon with salsify and peas, properly harmonized with Prazo de Roriz 2011.

Followed by “rabino” tuna belly, that matched perfectly with Post Scriptum 2012.

To harmonize with the star of the company – Chryseia 2012 – Chef Pedro Lemos created a dish of aged veal with ripe beans and smoked bacon. Fantastic!

To accompany dessert, an excellent Quinta de Roriz Porto Vintage 2003 was served. The Port was, no doubt, very good… but so was the Chryseia 2012. It seemed impossible to stop having it near us!

Prazo de Roriz red 2011
Good aromatic presence, with black fruit notes, such as plums and black cherries, coming up immediately. Its balsamic side is also evident, with notes of mint and eucalyptus complementing the fruit. The body has medium volume and the wine shows itself ready and harmonious. The clear presence of tannins predicts some aging capacity. Portugal: €8,90 – United Kingdom: £12.

Post Scriptum red 2012
The nose is charmingly floral, with marked notes of gum rockrose supported by the ripe red fruit of very good quality. In the mouth it is fresh, with the right acidity and an elegant and well proportionate body. The finale is long and its capacity to endure in time is a given. Portugal: €13,50 – United Kingdom: £18.

Chryseia red 2012
Produced from a careful grape selection (72% Touriga Nacional and 28% Touriga Franca), from the vineyards located at the estates Quinta de Roriz and Quinta da Perdiz. It aged for 15 months in 400 lt. French oak barrels. The Quinta da Vila Velha, estate owned by a member of the Symington family and its neighbor Roriz, have also given their contribution. It combines power and elegance in absolute perfection. Complex in the aroma, with notes of wild fruits, spicy sensations and a very mineral background. The mouth reveals the use of luxurious wood, irrepressibly well integrated. Balance, harmony and syntony are the words that better describe this wine. A colossal red! Portugal: €45,00 – United Kingdom: £48,00.

Contacts
Prats & Symington, Lda
Quinta de Roriz
São João da Pesqueira
5130-113 Ervedosa Do Douro
Portugal
Email: info@chryseia.com
Site: www.chryseia.com