Prats And Symington Douro Chryseia 2017 750ml

Produced for 20 years, this wine has become an iconic example of the power of great Douro red wines. The latest vintage is, as always, densely impressive, powered by dark tannins and black-plum fruits. Its dry core marks it out as a wine for long-term aging. Drink this impressive wine from 2023. (Cellar Selection)

The 2017 Chryseia is a 75/25 blend of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca aged for 16 months in mostly (80%) new French oak. It comes in at 14.1% alcohol. From a big vintage, this shows intense fruit, but the calling card here will be its finesse and focus. It is a beautifully crafted wine. Very precise, this has a long and tight finish. The aromatic fruit is in need of some development, and this really needs cellaring for a couple of years. With aeration, it does become more expressive, but this is not ready, even though the tannins are not really hard. The fruit needs to develop more than the tannins need to moderate. This looks like a potentially great Chryseia, but it is not showing all it has today. It is certainly the most refined of the Symington/P&S wines this issue, with a very Old World feel to it, if you'll pardon the stereotype. It showed beautifully the next day as well. At that point, the fruit demonstrated how concentrated it really is. The only remaining question is how well it does in the cellar. I'm betting that it does well.

Powerful and refined, with polished tannins enveloping the red plum reduction and kirsch flavors, interwoven with vanilla, baking spice and dried floral details. Brooding undertones of vivid mineral, espresso and toast round out the lengthy finish. Needs a little time to unwind. Best from 2022 through 2035. 3,250 cases made, 350 cases imported.

Dark cherries, spiced plums, dried flowers, sweet tobacco, cedar, mocha and slate. It's full-bodied with firm, tightly knit tannins. Plush, velvety texture and a deep core of ripe, dark fruit. Chewy, polished and generous. 75% touriga nacional and 25% touriga franca. Try from 2023.

A rich and powerful red with astonishing roundness of tannins. On the nose the fruit is upfront with notes of plum, blackcurrant and a touch of mocha and dark chocolate. The wood is perfectly integrated. The silky and velvety tannins are followed by a very fresh and long aftertaste. A seductive wine even at this early stage with a great ageing potential.