Deep purple color; black fruits, plum, blackberry, cherry, blueberry, blackcurrant, violets, oak, white pepper, herbs on the nose and palate.
Dry; soft, fine-grained tannins, moderate acidity. Medium body. Balanced. Blend of 50% touriga nacional and 40% touriga franca, 10% tinta roriz. Restrained use of oak through the use of large French barrels (400 litres—106 gallons), second and third use, but enough oak to support the assemblage. 14% ABV
The wine is a joint venture of the Prats family of Bordeaux and the Symington family of Portugal. The grapes come two P+S Duoro estates: Quinta de Roriz and Quinta da Perdiz. This is the second label to Prats & Symington’s highly acclaimed Chryseia (the name means “golden” in ancient Greek). Post Scriptum de Chryseia—note placement of “Post Scriptum de” in front of Chryseia. “Post scriptum” means “written after.” The wine is made from the second selection of wines produced by Chryseia; the fruit comes from the same vineyards as Chrusia. Post Scriptum sells for less than half the Chryseia price and is ready to be enjoyed at a younger age.
The Symington family is major force in both Porto and the Douro—the Symingtons own the Porto houses of Dow, Graham, Warre, and others; they dominate the Porto market. The Prats are quality producers in Bordeaux, so this is an partnership (created in 1999) between heavy hitters in the Portuguese and French wine world. They began making Post Scriptum in 2002. The winemakers are Bruno Prats and Charles Symington assisted by Pedro Carreia and Miguel Bessa.
Notoriously low yielding, touriga nacional often is regarded as Portugal’s prestige red grape and is used in red blends such as this, as well as in Porto (port wine). Because of its tolerance for heat, it also is finding its way into vineyards in Bordeaux, California, and Texas as a response to warmer temperatures in the vineyards.
Touriga franca has been called the cabernet franc of Portugal, which is why this drinks very roughly similar to a quality Bordeaux. Touriga franca formerly was known as touriga francesca. DNA testing indicates touriga franca is the parent grape of touriga nacional.
P+S Prats & Symington Post Scriptum de Chryseia, Duoro 2022 is both smooth and elegant with a velvety texture and ripe fruit flavors through a moderately extended finish. Portuguese wines consistently deliver above their price. This tastes somewhat like a Bordeaux blend, but with enough distinctiveness to make it a winning change-of-pace sipper if you are into serious, substantial red wine. Pair with grilled ribeye steak, beef tenderloin, barbecued beef; roasted lamb chops; pork chops and pork tenderloin; wild game—wild boar, venison, duck breast; roasted cauliflower, black beans, pinto beans; cozido à Portuguesa (Portuguese stew), salt cod, grilled sardines; grilled portobello mushrooms, eggplant parmesan, lentil and vegetable soup; pasta. Cheese—aged manchego, smoked gouda, parmigiano-reggiano, comté, gruyère, aged cheddar. $28-33
