The collaboration between the highly respected Bordeaux producer Bruno Prats and the Port-producing Symington family of Portugal has been a boon for the dry red table wines of the Douro Valley, which is most renowned of course for its sweeter wines. Together they took over the Quinta de Roriz estate in 2009 and created this lovely dry table wine they call Prazo de Roriz, a blend of multiple grape varieties, most notably Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz. Beautifully balanced, this is an intense red that can be drunk and enjoyed young, with soft, plush tannins supporting an inviting red-fruit aroma profile. Perfect for summer barbecues or roasted meats and savory sauces in the fall.
Prats + Symington, Douro DOC (Portugal) 2011
By Robert Whitley