Petrolo Galatrona 300cl 2016

Petrolo’s history spans centuries, with documented references dating as far back as the 13th century. The estate is nestled in the Val d’Arno Superiore region of Tuscany, gracefully framed by the majestic Pratomagno mountains. It occupies a territory renowned for its remarkable geographical and climatic diversity, offering a distinct path less traveled within the realm of Tuscan winemaking.
“Galatrona,” Is a true Merlot “Grand Cru” and one of Italy’s preeminent expressions of this grape variety. Galatrona has played a pivotal role in establishing Merlot’s legacy beyond French borders, often drawing comparisons to the esteemed wines of Le Pin and Petrus, as well as Tuscany’s own Merlot titan, Masetto.

The grapes for Galatrona are sourced from a vineyard adjacent to Petrolo’s medieval tower of the same name, planted between the late 1980s and the mid-1990s, featuring low-vigor Bordeaux clones. The unique composition of the soil, enriched with clay, intermingled with schist, marl, and sandstones, facilitates the concentration of the grapes’ noble components. This concentration is fundamental in crafting a wine of exceptional structure, elegance, balance, and enduring character.
The inaugural production of Galatrona commenced in 1994, originating from a single vineyard site and winery. Remarkably, the wine has been produced annually since then, except for the exceptional circumstance in 1996 when wild boars devoured the entire crop.
Petrolo’s dedication to sustainable practices began in 2004, marked by principles such as dry farming, eschewing fertilization, minimal tillage, comprehensive grassing with meticulous mulch management, and the exclusion of synthetic pesticides. In 2016, the winery proudly achieved official Organic Certification, a testament to their unwavering commitment to environmentally responsible viticulture. These conscientious efforts yield an intense and elegant wine, characterized by

“This is the flagship wine from Luca Sanjust’s Petrolo estate located not too far from Arezzo in the Valdarno area of eastern Tuscany. The 2016 Galatrona is indeed a masterpiece to behold. This wine offers thick layering and deep intensity with aromas that offer an incredible range, starting off with luscious dark chocolate on one side and ending with fragrant white truffle on the far end of its long aromatic trajectory. You get plummy fruit, spice, sweet tobacco and tilled earth packed tight in between. This full-bodied Merlot is softly textured and succulent with long-lasting flavor intensity on the close. Petrolo’s Merlot is planted in a ten-hectare parcel distinguished by thick clay soils. I have been watching Galatrona’s evolution for years and have tasted the wine on occasion in various vertical tastings. This is my favorite vintage made thus far.” 2020 – 2040
98 Points, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate, 31 May 2019