Quinta de Roriz, Douro (Portugal) 2009

Quinta de Roriz is one of two estates owned by the Prats & Symington partnership that was created to exploit the strengths of each partner. The goal was to produce high quality dry red wines in the Douro region of Portugal, best known for fortified wines. Bruno Prats, former owner of Chateau Cos d’Estournel brings his vast knowledge of producing legendary dry red wine. The Symington family offers its expertise in the terroir of the Douro. Their initial project was in the late 1990s was Chryseia, made from traditional Douro grape varieties using Bordeaux winemaking techniques. It has become an iconic wine, the realization of a shared dream. Prazo de Roriz is a more modest endeavor meant to be a more affordable, accessible wine. It is a dashing blend of deeply flavored black fruit tempered with floral, savory, mineral components. It’s a great introduction to the dry red Douro style: full bodied, yet graceful, outlined by ripe, dusty tannins.