Prats & Symington 'Post Scriptum de Chryseia' 2023

Originating from Portugal in the Douro region, specifically within the Douro DOC appellation, Prats & Symington 'Post Scriptum de Chryseia' 2023 represents an elegant, modern, and highly acclaimed expression of Portuguese red winemaking. Formed in 1999, Prats & Symington is a historic joint venture uniting two of the world's most distinguished winemaking families: Bruno Prats, former owner of Château Cos d'Estournel in Bordeaux, and the Symington family, renowned port producers in the Douro Valley. Sourced primarily from the prized estate vineyards of Quinta de Roriz and Quinta da Perdiz in the Cima Corgo sub-region, the vines grow on steep, sun-drenched schistous slopes along the Douro River. Under the direction of head winemaker Charles Symington and consultant Bruno Prats, the winemaking philosophy incorporates careful temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats with gentle extraction, followed by 12 months of maturation in 400-litre French oak barrels. The result is a refined red wine that balances Douro fruit intensity, mineral gravel grip, and classic Bordeaux structural polish.

Wine Description

The wine presents an opaque, deep dark ruby red colour with vivid purple reflections along the rim. An expressive, highly perfumed bouquet opens with noble aromas of wild blackberry, dark plum, ripe cassis, and black cherry, interwoven with sophisticated notes of rockrose (esteva), floral violet, fresh eucalyptus, dark chocolate, graphite, and subtle toasted oak spice. On the palate, it is medium-to-full bodied, silken, and energetic, delivering concentrated flavours of dark berries, plum curd, and savory mineral earth, all supported by a bright, mouthwatering spine of natural acidity. Framed by fine-grained, smooth tannins and a supple, well-proportioned mid-palate structure, it concludes with a long, persistent finish marked by lingering black fruit, floral spice, and a clean schistose mineral grip. Composed predominantly of Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional blended with small proportions of Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca, this 2023 release offers an optimal drinking window of 2025–2036. Stylistically, it combines Douro heat and floral aromatics with seamless, elegant French balance.