Petrolo has become one of the most talked about Tuscan estates in recent years.  It is situated in the Colli Aretini, bordering on the Chianti hills, in an historical area delimited in 1716 by the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III de’ Medici as one of Tuscany’s top four wine producing zones... The Petrolo estate was part of the old medieval fiefdom of ‘Galatrona’, the old tower (‘Torrione’) of which still remains on top of Roman foundations. Luca Sanjust runs the estate and the vibrancy and intensity of the fruit that he is getting in his wines has brought them some well deserved attention. Country: Italy Region: Tuscany Varietal: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot Vintage: 2018 Colour: Red Style: Dry Producer: Petrolo This Super Tuscan gem represents a seriously affordable, great value alternative to other far higher priced wines such as Ornellaia, Masseto, Sassicaia and Tua Rita’s Redigaffi. Called "The Petrus of Italy" by none other than Robert Parker, Petrolo Galatrona earns this remarkable comparison because it is one of the few 100% Merlot wines made in Italy today Galatrona is Petrolo’s most acclaimed wine, a Merlot cru made exclusively with grapes from the Galatrona-Feriale vineyard planted in various phases during the 1990s with low vigor Bordeaux clones. The unique microclimate allows the concentration of the noble components of the grapes that are fundamental for the great structure, elegance, balance, and persistence that has made Galatrona one of Italy’s most coveted wines. Tasting Notes "Despite the hardships of the vintage, Luca Sanjust and the team at Petrolo poured all their focus and attention into creating this wine. The 2017 Galatrona shows a hot-vintage interpretation of Merlot that never feels too ripe or heavy. Instead, this wine ushers forth a remarkable succession of balsam herb-like aromas with Mediterranean shrub, rosemary essence and wild sage. Those garden-fresh aromas accompany the dark blackberry fruit that gives this wine its important center of gravity. The Merlot harvest came two weeks early in 2017, and yields were greatly reduced" Robert Parker. "This is incredibly fresh for a 2017 with a well-executed, reductive edge; it opens with rosemary, thyme and tea leaves, before moving through blackcurrants, dark cherries, brambleberries, ash, tobacco and citrus. Dense, full-bodied and very chewy, this remains incredulously fine and elegant. Robust and enveloping tannins coat the mouth and mold the wild fruit into a sleek, pliable package. Finally, a string of refreshing acidity lifts the finish long and complex." James Suckling.  Food Matches:Red Meat / Beef / Lamb / Venison