Prats & Symington Prazo de Roriz
Dry Red Wine. This is a "Douro Red," crafted in a style that emphasizes fruit purity and approachability compared to the estate's flagship 'Chryseia' wine. · Prats & Symington (P+S). This is a high-profile joint venture between Bruno Prats (formerly of Château Cos d'Estournel in Bordeaux) and the Symington family (major Port producers including Graham’s and Dow’s). It combines Bordeaux technical precision with Douro heritage.
Vintage: Recent vintages (common for this label to be seen as 2017-2021). The Douro typically experiences hot, dry summers. High-quality vintages like 2017/2019 show immense concentration, while 2018/2020 show more freshness and acidity.
Type
Dry Red Wine. This is a "Douro Red," crafted in a style that emphasizes fruit purity and approachability compared to the estate's flagship 'Chryseia' wine.
Producer
Prats & Symington (P+S). This is a high-profile joint venture between Bruno Prats (formerly of Château Cos d'Estournel in Bordeaux) and the Symington family (major Port producers including Graham’s and Dow’s). It combines Bordeaux technical precision with Douro heritage.
Country
Portugal. Portugal is one of the oldest wine-producing nations with a unique system of indigenous grapes. In the last 20 years, the Douro region has shifted from being purely a Port wine producer to a source for some of the world's most acclaimed dry red table wines.
Vintage
Recent vintages (common for this label to be seen as 2017-2021). The Douro typically experiences hot, dry summers. High-quality vintages like 2017/2019 show immense concentration, while 2018/2020 show more freshness and acidity.
Region & Appellation
Douro DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada). Specifically sourced from the Quinta de Roriz and Quinta da Perdiz estates in the Cima Corgo sub-region, known for producing the most balanced and elegant Douro reds.
Grape Varieties
A traditional Douro blend typically including Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, and Tinta Cão. Each variety adds structure (Nacional), floral aromatics (Franca), or vibrant spice (Roriz).
Color & Appearance
Deep, youthful ruby to purple intensity. It shows clean clarity and medium-to-high viscosity with staining tears on the glass, indicating healthy concentration.
Aroma Profile
A vibrant nose dominated by primary aromas of red and black fruits (raspberry, plum, blackberry) accompanied by rockrose (esteva), wild herbs, and subtle secondary notes of spice and cocoa from short oak aging.
Tasting Notes
The palate is marked by a fleshy, succulent entry of ripe forest fruits. It is remarkably well-balanced with a mineral core. The finish is persistent, clean, and dominated by fruit rather than oak.
Flavor Profile
Expect layers of black cherries, red currants, and a characteristic schistous minerality. There are often hints of clove, pepper, and Mediterranean scrubland (garrigue) that emerge as the wine opens.
Body & Texture
Medium to full-bodied with a smooth, velvety texture. While it has the weight of a warm-climate wine, the 'Prats' influence ensures it remains elegant and agile rather than jammy.
Acidity & Tannins
Bright, refreshing acidity that cuts through the fruit ripeness. The tannins are fine-grained and soft—designed for early enjoyment—but provide enough backbone for 3–5 years of evolution.
Sweetness Level
Dry (Bone Dry). Residual sugar is typically less than 2 g/L, but the ripeness of Douro fruit can give a perception of sweet-fruited fullness.
Alcohol Content
Usually around 13.5% to 14.5% ABV. The alcohol is generally well-integrated, providing body without significant heat on the finish.
Aging & Oak
Aged for approximately 6 months in 400L French oak barrels (used/neutral oak) and stainless steel. This method preserves the 'Prazo' (pleasure) style—focusing on fruit rather than heavy toast or vanilla.
Food Pairings
Excellent with grilled meats (pork secreto, lamb chops), tomato-based pasta dishes, or traditional Portuguese 'Arroz de Pato' (duck rice). It also pairs well with medium-aged cheeses like Manchego or São Jorge.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 16-18°C (60-64°F) in a large Bordeaux glass. Decanting for 30 minutes is recommended to let the aromatics bloom, though it is quite expressive straight from the bottle.
Price Range
$15.00 - $22.00 USD. It represents exceptional value for money, often cited as one of the best entry-level premium reds from the Douro.
Quality Assessment
Consistently scores between 88–91 points from major critics (Wine Spectator, Robert Parker). It is a 'Super-Premium' entry-level wine and a benchmark for its category.
Production Methods
Hand-picked grapes are sorted twice at the winery. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel vats with temperature control to preserve aromatics. The focus is on gentle extraction.
Terroir
The soil is predominantly schist (slate-like rock) which retains heat and stresses the vines, forcing roots deep. The steep terraced vineyards of the Douro create unique microclimates that provide intensity and acidity.
History & Heritage
Founded in 1999, P+S was a pioneer in the 'Douro Revolution.' The Symingtons provided the land and viticulture, while Bruno Prats brought his 'Grand Cru' winemaking philosophy from Bordeaux.
Interesting Facts
The label 'P+S' stands for Prats + Symington. The name 'Prazo de Roriz' refers to a historical land lease (Prazo) associated with the famous Quinta de Roriz estate.
Cellaring Potential
Best enjoyed within 2–6 years of the vintage. While it can age, it is crafted to capture the 'primary' fruit stage and does not require long-term cellaring like its big brother, Chryseia.
Similar Wines
Crasto Red, Quinta do Vallado Douro Tinto, Esporão Reserva (Alentejo), or a high-quality Crianza from Ribera del Duero.