{"title":"Chryseia","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"chryseia-douro-red-blend","title":"Chryseia Douro Red Blend","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChryseia Douro Red Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e is a premium Portuguese red wine from the Douro Valley, bottled at 14–14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Prats \u0026amp; Symington, this Touriga Nacional–dominant blend earned 97 points from Wine Spectator for its 2011 vintage—the second-highest score ever awarded to a Portuguese still wine by that publication—and was named Wine Spectator's No. 3 wine of 2014.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14–14.5%  |  Origin: Douro, Portugal  |  Style: Premium Red Blend  |  Producer: Prats \u0026amp; Symington\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChryseia is born from a collaboration between two winemaking dynasties: the Symington family, whose roots in the Douro Valley's port trade stretch back generations, and Bruno Prats, the former proprietor of Château Cos d'Estournel in Saint-Estèphe. Launched with the 2000 vintage, the project was the first Portuguese still wine to enter Wine Spectator's Top 100, landing at position 19 with its inaugural 2001 release. The blend centers on Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca—proportions shift by vintage, with the 2021 composed of roughly 67% Touriga Nacional and 33% Touriga Franca. Aging takes place over 14 months in predominantly new (94%) French oak barrels, and the team deliberately uses 400-liter casks rather than the standard 225-liter barriques to limit excessive oak extraction and preserve the aromatic finesse of the fruit. The winemaking philosophy is distinctly Bordeaux-inflected, applying Left Bank structure and precision to indigenous Douro grape varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Violet and floral notes from the Touriga Nacional lead, followed by ripe wild berries, mocha, and a dusting of Earl Grey tea. A subtle graphite-mineral thread ties the bouquet together.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is concentrated and juicy, with dark plum, black currant, and raspberry gelee flooding the mid-palate. Baker's chocolate, black olive, and licorice emerge as the wine develops, while fine-grained tannins provide a silky but firm framework. A layered sense of schist and sweet spice builds steadily toward the peak.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and refined, with lingering accents of slate, white pepper, and leather. The tannins taper gradually, leaving a persistent spice trail and a vibrant mineral echo.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Chryseia\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChryseia is at its best served in a large-bowled glass at around 16–18°C (61–64°F), ideally decanted for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the tannins to soften and the floral aromatics to fully unfold. Younger vintages benefit from extended decanting. While this is primarily a wine for the table rather than cocktail mixing, it pairs exceptionally with hearty dishes: grilled lamb chops with rosemary, slow-braised short ribs with a red wine reduction, or a traditional Portuguese cozido.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a serious wine collector exploring Portuguese fine wine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnchoring a special-occasion dinner with red meat or game\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a benchmark Douro red to a cellar for medium-term aging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing Bordeaux enthusiasts to the Douro Valley's top-tier still wines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Chryseia taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Chryseia delivers concentrated dark plum, black currant, and raspberry fruit layered with black olive, baker's chocolate, and licorice, all framed by fine-grained tannins and a slate-mineral finish. Floral violet aromatics and white pepper spice add complexity throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Chryseia compare to Quinta do Vale Meão?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are flagship Douro reds built around Touriga Nacional, but Chryseia leans on a Bordeaux-inspired winemaking approach shaped by Bruno Prats' Saint-Estèphe background, producing a style that emphasizes aromatic finesse and restrained oak. Quinta do Vale Meão, rooted in the heritage of the legendary Barca Velha, tends toward a more powerfully structured, terroir-driven expression of the Upper Douro.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Chryseia good for cellaring?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes—its firm tannin structure, balanced acidity, and layered fruit concentration give it strong aging potential, with top vintages like 2011 and 2019 capable of developing over a decade or more in proper cellar conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Chryseia made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Chryseia is produced in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal by Prats \u0026amp; Symington, a joint venture between the Symington family (based in the Douro) and Bruno Prats, the former owner of Bordeaux's Château Cos d'Estournel.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Chryseia?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled lamb rack complements the wine's herbal and dark-fruit notes; slow-braised beef short ribs echo its chocolate and licorice depth; aged hard cheeses like São Jorge mirror its mineral intensity; roasted duck breast with a berry reduction highlights the red-fruit core; and charcuterie with cured meats ties into the leather and tobacco undertones.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Chryseia come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Chryseia is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, with some vintages also released in magnum (1.5L) format.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Chryseia worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Chryseia positions as a premium Douro red competing with top-tier Portuguese still wines and mid-to-upper-range Bordeaux. Multiple vintages scoring 94–97 points from Wine Spectator, combined with its use of predominantly new French oak and a unique Franco-Portuguese pedigree, place it firmly in credible fine-wine territory for the price tier.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Chryseia?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFew Douro reds carry the critical pedigree of Chryseia. Its 2001 vintage was the first Portuguese still wine to crack Wine Spectator's Top 100, and the 2011 vintage's 97-point score remains one of the highest ever granted to a Portuguese table wine by that publication. The deliberate use of oversized 400-liter French oak barrels—rather than standard barriques—preserves the aromatic clarity of Touriga Nacional while adding structural refinement that recalls the best of Bordeaux. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a bridge between two of Europe's great winemaking traditions, Chryseia stands as the defining expression of that partnership.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chryseia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837818892457,"sku":"32668","price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Chryseia-Douro-Red-Blend__15881.jpg?v=1730495882"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/chryseia.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}