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Chryseia by Prats and Symington is a world-class Portuguese red wine born from a unique partnership between Bruno Prats (former owner of Château Cos d’Estournel) and the Symington family. Blending French winemaking elegance with the rich heritage of the Douro Valley, this sophisticated Douro DOC red wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, combining the structure and character of the Douro with the elegance and precision of Bordeaux-inspired winemaking.
Chryseia is produced from a rigorous selection of grapes sourced from Prats and Symington’s two Upper Douro Valley vineyards, Quinta de Roriz (acquired by Prats and Symington from the van Zeller family in 2009) and Quinta da Perdiz. Another property called Quinta da Vila Velha, which is privately owned by father and son James and Rupert Symington, also contributed some of its best grapes, as it has for every vintage of Chryseia.
The 2020 vintage is a blend of two of the Douro’s most important indigenous red grape varieties:
After careful grape selection and vinification, the wine was matured for 15 months in new 400-litre French oak barrels. The larger-format barrels allow the oak to integrate with the wine while adding subtle spice, toast and structure without overwhelming the character of the Douro fruit.
Bottling takes place at Symington’s modern bottling centre in Vila Nova de Gaia. The Chryseia winemaking team includes Bruno Prats, Charles Symington, Pedro Correia and Miguel Bessa, bringing together generations of Douro experience and international winemaking expertise.
Chryseia 2020 can be enjoyed now after decanting, but its concentration, freshness and fine tannins also give it the structure to develop further in the bottle. For the best expression, serve at around 16–18°C and decant before serving.
This extraordinary Douro red wine is the product of an exceptional partnership between the Symington family, renowned for their centuries of Port mastery in the Douro, and Bruno Prats, former owner and winemaker at Bordeaux’s esteemed Château Cos d’Estournel. Uniting noble Portuguese heritage with Bordeaux expertise, they set out to craft a contemporary classic. First released with the 2000 vintage, Chryseia helped spearhead the modern resurgence of still Douro DOC wines and made history as the first Portuguese table wine to earn a place in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the World.
The name derives from the ancient Greek word for “golden”, a nod to the Douro River itself. Chryseia remains steadfast in its signature style. Elegance and balance take centre stage, offering rich depth without heaviness and full-bodied structure without sharpness.
As well as Chryseia, the fantastic second wine, Post Scriptum by Prats & Symington is also available to buy at Fareham Wine Cellar.
The Chryseia 2020 has the concentration and structure expected from a great Douro red, but its freshness and fine tannins give it an elegant, polished character.
The nose reveals generous aromas of blackberry, black cherry and plum, followed by violets, dark chocolate, cocoa and subtle spice. With time in the glass, more savoury and mineral nuances emerge.
On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and concentrated, with layers of ripe dark fruit supported by fresh acidity and finely textured tannins. The French oak is well integrated, adding depth and gentle spice while allowing the Touriga varieties and Douro terroir to remain at the forefront.
The finish is long, persistent and beautifully balanced, combining dark fruit, floral notes, spice and mineral freshness.
This fine Portuguese red wine pairs well with roasted red meats like lamb and beef, game dishes such as venison or duck, and rich stews or casseroles, which complement its powerful structure and complex flavours.
For the cheeseboard, pair with strong, aged cheeses such as Gouda, Manchego, or mature Cheddar.
Serve at approximately 16–18°C for the best balance between fruit, structure and freshness.
2020 Vintage
96/100, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast
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