Winemaker Notes
Galatrona is the “Grand-Cru” of Merlot of Petrolo, only made with the grapes from the vineyard of the same name planted between the end of the 80’s and half of the 90’s with low vigor bordeaux clones. The peculiar soil, rich in clay in combination with schist, marl and sandstones, allows the concentration of all the noble components of the grapes, fundamental for the great structure, elegance, balance and persistence wanted for this wine.
Blend: 100% Merlot
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The aromas of black currants, graphite, lavender and violets are gorgeous. Black olives and walnuts, too. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins, a racy texture and small black berry-like flavors. Iron undertones as well as dark chocolate, dried sage and rosemary. Vertical nature to this. One for the cellar. Pure merlot. From organically grown grapes. Best after 2030.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Petrolo 2023 Val d'Arno di Sopra Galatrona stands among Italy’s benchmark expressions of Merlot. This organic wine comes from nine hectares of gently sloping vineyards with medium-rich soils marked by rocks and clay, lending both depth and natural balance. Gorgeously rich, velvety and intense, Galatrona delivers compelling concentration without ever sacrificing elegance or freshness. The underdog 2023 vintage presented notable challenges due to humidity and heat, but meticulous work in the vineyard and at the sorting table proved decisive, especially for an early-ripening variety like Merlot. Fermented in cement and aged in barrique and tonneaux for 18 months, the wine shows harmony between power and finesse.
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Decanter
Petrolo's 100% Merlot is one of Tuscany's flagship reds. Dark and plummy aromas are lifted by some invigorating blueberry notes, while in the mouth it showcases an intense, structural palate of sapid dark fruits and balsamic herbs. The oak influence peeks through as a layer of liquorice, then floral overtones segue into a zesty finish of orange peel and flecks of wood.
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Vinous
The 2023 Galatrona, 100% Merlot, is soft, plush and sensual. Dark blue/purplish fruit, cloves, new leather, menthol and licorice all meld together in the glass. Soft, caressing contours shape this mid-weight, understated vintage of the estate's flagship wine. The 2023 is not a huge Galatrona but is instead a wine that impresses with its finesse. This is a step up from the 2022.
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.