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.

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.

The 2021 Petrolo Galatrona IGT is a 100% Merlot produced in Tuscany, Italy. This vintage stands out with its deep complexity and potential for aging, highlighted by a consistent series of high ratings from various professional reviewers.

Vinous praises the 2021 Galatrona with a score of 98, noting its complexity with flavors of black cherry, plum, mocha, leather, licorice, and incense. Antonio Galloni of Vinous emphasizes the wine’s "vertical, explosive energy," suggesting it needs several years to reach its full potential.

Decanter also awards the wine a high score of 97. The review highlights its vivid purple color and enticing aromas of black cherry and blackcurrant, along with a touch of florality. The palate is described as "smooth, ample, really quite seductive," with silky yet gripping tannins and a harmonious balance. The wine's aging process includes 18 months in French oak tonneaux and barriques, 30% of which are new, contributing to its nuanced flavor profile.

The Wine Independent gives the 2021 Galatrona a score of 96, describing it as medium to deep garnet-purple in color. The wine initially presents as quite closed, requiring substantial swirling to reveal notes of wild blueberries, juicy blackberries, plum pudding, cinnamon stick, and violets. The palate is bright and energetic, with firm, ripe tannins and a long, perfumed finish.

James Suckling also scores the wine at 98, highlighting its distinct aromas of dried flowers, sage, blackberries, and black olive skin. He describes it as full-bodied yet linear and energetic, with very fine tannins and fantastic length. Suckling suggests the wine will be best enjoyed after 2026.

Wine Spectator awards the wine 96 points, noting its seamless and lusciously saturated flavors of black currant, blackberry, violet, iron, tobacco, and spice. The review underscores the wine's finesse and elegance over power, with polished tannins and a vibrant profile.

Lastly, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gives the 2021 Galatrona a near-perfect score of 97+, highlighting its focused and generous aromas of mint, cherry, and stracciatella. Monica Larner of Wine Advocate points out the wine's elegantly chalky tannins and full-bodied texture, with soft layers of spice and cedarwood.

Overall, the 2021 Petrolo Galatrona IGT is a highly acclaimed Merlot with a robust structure and excellent aging potential, making it a distinguished choice for wine enthusiasts.