Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is a phenomenal pure merlot with blueberries, raspberries and hints of milk chocolate. Some nutmeg too. Full body with very fine yet chewy tannins and a long, intense finish. Reminds me of the amazing 1998. Best ever from here. Needs four or five years of bottle age to soften.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Very intense and inky black, the 2011 Galatrona is a hugely ripe red wine. Fruit was picked on August 25th, which is a record in terms of early harvests at this estate. The bouquet revs up slowly with aromas of scorched earth, blackberry confit, toasted espresso and bitter chocolate. You also get a note of savory mineral or burnt flint that adds contours and definition to that significant intensity. The wine offers trace sweetness on the finish that contributes to the opulence and richness of the overall package.
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Wine Spectator
Round and polished, packed with violet, black currant, cherry, mineral and spice flavors, supported by dense tannins. Spice and toast accents linger on the extended finish
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Wine & Spirits
The Bazzocchi-Sanjust family planted 7.5 acres of merlot in 1990 at their estate in Chianti Colli Aretini, across the southeastern border of Chianti Classico. Those vines produced a supple 2011, enriched by 18 months of aging in new French oak. The oak brings coffee, chocolate and cinnamon notes to the wine, and emphasizes its plush texture. Lively red plum fruit lasts beyond it, suggesting the wine will age well.
Legendary in Italy for its Renaissance art and striking landscape, Tuscany is also home to many of the country’s best red wines. Sangiovese reigns supreme here, as either the single varietal, or a dominant player, in almost all of Tuscany’s best.
A remarkable Chianti, named for its region of origin, will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and plenty of cherry fruit character. From the hills and valleys surrounding the medieval village of Montalcino, come the distinguished and age-worthy wines based on Brunello (Sangiovese). Earning global acclaim since the 1970s, the Tuscan Blends are composed solely of international grape varieties or a mix of international and Sangiovese. The wine called Vine Nobile di Montepulciano, composed of Prognolo Gentile (Sangiovese) and is recognized both for finesse and power.