2020, Petrolo Galatrona VALDARNO DI SOPRA ITALY

Fattoria Petrolo
Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany.
100% Merlot.

Savoury and mouthwatering, benefitting from its 300m of altitude in the southern part of Tuscany by the Chianti hills. Precise and finely boned tannins, emphasis on dried herbs on the nose, this is an enticing mix of savoury raspberry leaf and riper red cherry fruits, keeps things walking the line of grip and generosity. Luca Sanjust winemaker and owner, along with team including Carlo Ferrini. One of the first big 100% Italian Merlot wines after Masseto to be sold through the Bordeaux system, now its fifth vintage with négociants, and a wine that gives hope to those who worry that Merlot is becoming unviable in the heat of Italian summers. 95 Jane Anson

The Petrolo 2020 Galatrona is a pure expression of organic Merlot and the estate's headline wine. It was first created in 1994 when Luca Sanjust's second child, Lucia, was born. Despite the summer heat that became a challenge for winemakers in many corners of Tuscany, Galatrona shows terrific results in 2020. The vineyard is located in a cool and thickly forested position almost exactly between Florence, Arezzo and Siena. The vintage has a classic quality with a subtle bouquet that grows in intensity as the wine opens in the glass. Aromas of cherry, toasted almond and dried mint fuel a long and very elegant finish. The oak tannins are soft and sweet, and the wine boasts long-lasting flavours. 96 Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

Some forest floor notes mingled with dark fruits and fresh herbs - liquorice and blackcurrant with hints of dark chocolate and thyme. Supple and mouthfilling, this has weight from the get go, the tannins massy, plush and fleshy filling the mouth with rich, concentrated black fruit flavours. Detailed and precise, this has power and is well framed with high acidity giving the life force to balance the concentration. A hefty wine, with real might but still some finesse. 93 Georgina Hindle, Decanter.