Wine
| Color & Type |
Red |
| Varietal |
Merlot |
| Country |
Italy |
| Region |
Tuscany |
| Vintage |
2014 |
| Percent alcohol |
13.5% |
| Closure |
Cork |
Few estates have done as much to realize the potential of Merlot as Petrolo. Outside of Bordeaux, the ‘Galatrona’ Merlot is one of the world’s great expressions of the grape and it speaks as much of the clay rich Vigna Galatrona, as it does the variety itself. It is perennially one of the most popular top shelf Merlot’s on the market and is described as one of the "most sensual, pleasurable, beautiful wines of Tuscany" (Galloni). The 2014 Petrolo Galatrona upholds Petrolo’s reputation with notes of dark chocolate, spice, and loads of fresh dark red fruit. Showcasing everything that is beautiful about Merlot matched with the sun-drenched personality of the Tuscan terroir, the 2014 Petrolo Galatrona is a must have for both collectors and casual Merlot drinkers alike.
Label
Galatrona is Petrolo's flagship and one of the most awarded wines of the estate. It is a wine of great structure on the palate, and wildly aromatic on the nose. First produced in 1994, this 100% Merlot comes from estate vines planted in the early 90’s. The vineyard extends over 3 hectares, and is the first vineyard of Merlot that Petrolo planted. The yield per vine is limited, allowing for the concentration of components fundamental to achieve the structure, elegance, balance and persistence wanted for this wine.
Macerated on the skins for 2 weeks or more, the pump-overs are done often and with considerable care to allow for complete and gentle extraction. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barriques, and the wine is then aged in new French barriques for approximately 18 months. During this period the wine is left for the first 6 months on the fine lees, which allows the finished product to achieve greater complexity.
Winery
Petrolo
Petrolo winery is owned by 4 generations by the Bazzocchi-Sanjust family. The estate extends over 109 acres, 825 to 1,500 feet above sea level, in an area known for prestigious wines since the Renaissance.
The vineyards are set in Val d'Arno Superiore, among the hills of the "Chianti Colli Aretini," bordering southeastern Chianti Classico. The somewhat loosely packed soil features layers of claystone, shale and limestone.
Petrolo aims to produce wines with character and terroir from Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, with 5,500 plants per hectare, production has been reduced to less than 8,000 cases in order to maximize quality. Hand-harvested and fermented in individual lots using native yeasts, the bulk of production is aged in French barriques, though they do employ the use of large oak casks.
Petrolo produces six dry wines and a Vin Santo, but is best known for the 100% Merlot, Galatrona, and the Cabernet-based Il Torrione.