Quinta de Roriz Prazo de Roriz - Douro - Portugal

Prazo de Roriz 2008;

Robert Parker, juni 2011,
89/100
The 2008 Prazo de Roriz is a blend of Touriga Nacional (35%), Touriga Franca (28%), Tinta Roriz (35%) and Tinta Francisca (2%). Year-in, year-out, it is one of the best buys in the Douro. Now that it has had a little time to settle down, it is worth posting an update after revisiting it. It opens a touch flat and with a little bit of an oak tinge, but that demeanor does not last long. It wakes up in 15-20 minutes, becoming earthier and much more interesting, showing some minerality and a lot of earthy character. It has charm, but an underlying air of seriousness, with moderate tannins. It is a wine that can appeal to most all segments of the drinking public. The mid-palate has fleshed out a little, although it remains fairly light. This is quite an attractive year for this wine, as it shows some complexity as well as structure. I'm betting it will hold reasonably well in the cellar, too. Drink now-2019.
Historic Quinta de Roriz is, if you have not heard by now, now under the ownership of Prats & Symington, which is what the "P+S" on the label references. The Symingtons, of course, have been involved in this Quinta for many years, their winemaking team being long responsible for many of the Quinta's wines. Prats & Symington wines are separately listed.

Decanter, oktober 2010,
14,5-15,4/20 Commended

Prazo de Roriz 2007;

Perswijn, februari 2011,
****
Room, bramen en bosbessen, rozemarijn, kruiden, intens en warm, bosvruchten, lengte en hout.

Robert Parker, februari 2010,
89/100
The 2007 PRAZO DE RORIZ, a typical Douro blend heavy on Touriga Nacional (40%), Touriga Franca (25%) and Tinta Barroca (21%), has knit together as well as I thought it would from my first look—and quite a bit better, in fact. I fear I underrated it the first time around. Bright and silky, it seems a little harsh on opening, as it did initially, but that does not last long now and it evolves beautifully. It is never going to be a wine that impresses with its depth—it is certainly well on the elegant side in the mid-palate—but it proves to be an impeccably balanced wine, graceful and sunny, with more structure than is apparent at first. Although I think this will hold a reasonable time, it will probably show best in the short to mid-term, now to the next few years. Drink now-2017.

Wine Spectator, 15 december 2009
89/100
Red fruit aromas and flavors dominate this finely chiseled red, which shows rich raspberry and dark plum notes midpalate, with intense dark chocolate on the finish. Drink now through 2013. –KM

www.erobertparker.com, augustus 2009
87/100
The 2007 PRAZO DE RORIZ, a typical Douro blend heavy on Touriga Nacional (40%), Touriga Franca (25%) and Tinta Barroca (21%), is another nice value from this estate (but if you-re looking, avoid the 2006, and grab the -05 or this -07). It is typically velvety, round and softly textured, with some brightness on the finish. It is very sappy and grapey at the moment, showing ripe, sweet fruit and a flavorful finish. It should debut in the USA marketplace around September, 2009, at which time it will be quite approachable, but a few months to settle down won-t hurt. Drink now-2016.

Jancis Robinson, 5 mei 2009
16/20
Made by the Symingtons but aged chez Van Zeller, ageing a bit longer.
Dense crimson. Rich and sweet and forward. Quite soft. Drink 2010-15

Prazo de Roriz 2006;

Wine Spectator.com, 14 oktober 2009
92/100
One of the things I love about fine wine is how it changes in the glass, the way an intriguing new acquaintance can reveal different facets of his or her personality over the course of a long evening conversation.Quinta de Roriz's 2006 Prazo, which I picked up in the spring, was a silky dance partner, settling into a smooth rhythm, then spinning away across the floor before returning with a new flourish.
This Portuguese red—a blend of the traditional Port varieties Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Tinta Cão, aged 7 months in oak—was bold, with sweet berry and plum, yet zingy enough to work with pizza and pasta pomodoro. Each time I went back to it, I found something different. On the first sip, I picked up a prune note on the finish, which later kicked into spice, then moved on to dark chocolate. At one point, the wine softened notably, turning mostly plummy. By the end of the second glass, it had settled into raspberry, cream and spice—and remained that way the next night, adding a little smoky cocoa to the finish. non-blind.

Wine Spectator.com, 23 januari 2009
90/100
Elegant and creamy-tasting, with bright, well-defined flavors of raspberry, red plum and cinnamon. Finishes with mocha and silky tannins. Needs some time in the cellar to flesh out more. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz and Tinto Cão. Drink now. —K.M.

Prazo de Roriz 2005;

International Wine Challenge IWC 2007: Bronze Medal

Wine Spectator, March 31 2007
87/100
Crisp, with pure red plum, mineral and raspberry flavors. Lip-smacking finish of spice, red cherry and maple. Drink now through 2009. 3,000 cases imported. –KM

The Wine Anorak Jamie Goodle, August 21 2007
88/100
‘Sweet, ripe, open spicy nose is quite lush with a sweet herbiness. It’s a bit ‘dusty’, but in a nice way. The ripe, lush palate has nice spicy definition to the generous fruit. Really nice wine. Roriz has been on form from the beginning, offering a lovely, forward, ripe modern style of Douro wine, and with second wine Prazo one of the Douro’s best value reds. Again, they tend to the riper, sweeter end of the fruit spectrum, but they’re not over the top.’

Jancis Robinson.com, December 7 ,2007
16/20
A blend of five different varieties including 35% Touriga Nacional and 35% Touriga Franca - all estate grapes. Eight months in 2nd-fill French oak (400-litre barrels). Sweet dark plummy fruit. Very firm but fine, cool on the mid palate. Spicy oak evident. 13% (JH)

Robert Parker The Wine Advocate 178, August 2008
88/100
The 2005 PRAZO DE RORIZ is another nice value, even with declining exchange rates. It is round and velvety, but with bite on the finish. It has modest depth, although it is quite acceptable for its second wine status. It seems a bit more backward than the 2004 was at a similar time, yet it evolves fairly quickly with air. It will be tasty and a crowd pleaser, fleshy, but tending to thin fast, and having a bright, crisp, flavorful finish. Drink now-2014.

With roots going back to the 18th Century, this historic Quinta was formerly a partnership between Joao van Zeller and the Symingtons (owners of Dow and Graham’s Ports, among others). It is now wholly owned by van Zeller and serviced by his cousin Cristiano van Zeller’s team (including winemaker Sandra Tavares da Silva, who also makes Cristiano’s CV, Quinta Vale D. Maria and others). This Quinta is best known for giving the name “Tinta Roriz” to Tempranillo in the Douro because of the winery’s close association with the varietal. In more modern times, this Quinta is producing excellent wines that seem underrated. The Reserva, a little over $30, is one of the Douro’s best intersections of quality and price. The second wine, the Prazo, is always an excellent deal.

Prazo de Roriz 2004;

The Wine Anorak December 2006
88/100
‘Appealing fresh, ripe jammy nose with sweet fruit. The palate is forward and sweetly fruited with good concentration and an easy-going nature. Impressive stuff. Very good+”

Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate no. 169
89/100
The 2004 “Prazo de Roriz” provides tons of value for the money, and is one of the fine deals in this report. The only problem is that after people taste this, they may not want to spend the money upgrading in the lineup. Grapy and forward, this is soft and easy, perhaps a bit simple, but quite delicious. The mellow fruit has loads of flavor, a little spice, and there is some brightness surrounding the fruit. This has a lot of sex appeal for a relatively early maturing wine, but there is some structure and more backbone than seemed obvious at first. Admittedly, the mid-palate is on the thinner side, but it also fleshes out with air. The bouquet is powerful and delightful. The only criticism here is that this is a wine to drink young, and it has little upside in the cellar, which usually constrains my scoring. It is so utterly charming that it would be churlish not to recognize its virtues. Drink it on the younger side, and you’ll be happier, I think. This is a blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. Drink now-2013.

Wine Spectator Top 100 januari 2007
-Great values of 2006-
90/100

Decanter, onbekende datum
***
‘A twist of black pepper on the nose followed by a mouthful of mulberries. Very approachable. Up to 2010.’

Prazo de Roriz 2003;

Wine Spectator
91/100
’Rich and concentrated, with layers of mouthfilling red and black fruit flavors. Full-bodied, with blackberry, dark chocolate and licorice elements all in balance. Pure, minerally finish, with plenty of grip. Tempting now. Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Touriga Nacional. Best from 2007 through 2010. 2000 cases imported. --K.M.’

Jancis Robinson, February 2005
16/20
” Quite bluish purple. Sweet, floral nose, as though aromatic enzymes were used (but not). Very pretty start, and then still quite tannic. Only mid-length. Low-temperature fermentation. Drink 2005-08”

Wine Behind the Label 2005
**/***** (a wine with more depth, interest and concentration, usually with some aging potential

Wine Spectator
90/100
‘ Beautifull aroma of crushed red fruits with loads of ripe plum, cassis and smoke flavours. Well-balanced, with plenty of structure as well. Long finish of white pepper and mineral. 1000 cases made.’ – K.M.

Perswijn, december 2006
***(*)/*****
‘Zoet en stevigheid, kersen, chocolade, warmte, maar ook frisheid, tannines.’

Prazo de Roriz 2002;

Wine Enthusiast, November 2004
85/100 Editors’ Choice
This label of Quinta de Roriz, from the lighter 2002 vintage, is a wine of early drinking. It has fresh red fruits, soft tannins and good balancing acidity. The word “prazo”, meaning “lease”, was the name given to the quinta in the 18th century.

Winespectator Weekly, 31 March 2004
86/100
” Spicy aroma and toasty, milk chocolate flavours. Supple and smooth, with plum pudding and dark cherry notes emerging on the finish. Needs some time to settle out. Best after 2004."

Dorothy Gaiter, The Associated Press; 4/9/2004 and John Brecher The Wall Street Journal
Rating – Good/Very Good
“Filled with fruit and earth. Rich with Port-like tastes. Classy.”

Wine Behind the Label 2005
**/***** (a wine with more depth, interest and concentration, usually with some aging potential)

Prazo de Roriz 2001;

Wine Spectator Weekly, 30 March 2003
91/100
” Refined and pure tasting red, with a powerfully spicy aroma and intense red cherry, plum and raspberry flavors. Impressive structure; finish oozes with dark chocolate and cassis notes."- KM

Wine Spectator
91/100
“Top-scoring value releases of 2004…These 50 wines are the cream of the crop in terms of value – each scored 90 or more points and sells for 15$ or less”.
Quinta de Roriz Douro Prazo 2001 (91 Points) – 10th out of 50.

Wine Enthusiast,
88/100
’This wine is made from new plantings at Roriz, which is controled by a partnership of the Symington family and João van Zeller. A blend of Tinta Roriz, Tinta Franca, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Barroca, it was matured in French oak. It is a big generous, fruity wine and plenty of dusty tannins give a big, structured feel. –RV’

Wine Behind the Label 2005
**/***** (a wine with more depth, interest and concentration, usually with some aging potential)

Bewaaradvies: Nu op dronk of bewaren tot 8 jaar, serveren op 18 C°
Druiven: 45% Tinta Roriz, 35% Touriga Franca, 10% Tinta Barroca en
10% Touriga Nacional
Wijnspijs: met rood vlees, wild en gevogelte.