Prats & Symington 2017 Chryseia, Douro Portugal

Chryseia is joint venture between two powerhouse estates - the Prats from Bordeaux (former owners of Chateau Cos d'Estournel) and Symington, a major wine and Port producer in Portugal. This project began in 1999 with the express purpose of elevating the commercial visibility and quality of red Douro Valley wines.

In Chryseia (means 'golden), the power of Douro fruit is modulated and finessed by Bordeaux techniques. It is a blend of 45% Touriga Nacional and 55% Touriga Franca, both of which are used in Port production and work harmoniously together. Most of the grapes are sourced from two quintas (estates) on the left bank of the Douro River - Quinta Roriz and Quinta da Perdiz. Both vineyards are extremely steep and terraced, with the highest peak 1t 1458 feet.

Fermented in stainless steel tanks, the winery practices restraint on its oak aging, using 400 liter barrels, instead of the 223-liter barrels used in Bordeaux. The wines age 15 months in these barrels.