Latest Releases: Galatrona 2021

Petrolo wine estate is situated in Valdarno Superior, between the eastern Chianti area and the Arno river, a territory of great geographic and climatic variation. Galatrona's vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate combined with a specific soil's composition which are fundamental for great structure, elegance, balance, and persistence.

The vineyard was planted between the end of the 80’s and half of the 90’s with low vigor bordeaux clones in the locality known as Feriale. The vineyard extends for 10 Ha with almost 50.000 plants grown on spurred cordon trellising. Soils are composed of loam rich in clay, with shale, marl and sandstones. The clay helps keeping the moisture in the soil which is necessary to grow merlot especially in the hot and dry Tuscan summers. The combination of stones, shale and clay is amongst the elements that allow Galatrona to produce an elegant and full bodied wine even in what are considered minor vintages. This particular site, the ‘upper Arno valley’, was granted an officially DOC recently.

In 2016 the winery was certified organic. To achieve natural balance in the vineyard, plant management is carried out by hand with targeted intervention. Heavier pruning and grape thinning is almost absent in the mature vineyards which are already balanced.

Petrolo is one of Tuscany’s leading producers which competes with Tenuta dell’Ornellaia and Masseto. Owner Luca Sanjust has always loved Pomerol and was inspired to make the first Super Tuscan with 100% Merlot. Galatrona has been compared to Petrus on many occasions and is continuously highlighted by great scores from the best critics. Around 30,000 bottles are produced each year making it a coveted wine for collectors across the globe.

Galatrona 2021

2021 is a seductive vintage with silky tannins and a crunchy acidity that lifts the palate. As Georgina Hindle puts it in Decanter: Totally unputdownable, although with lots of potential for improvement over ageing. Secure your allocation now.

The aromas here are very distinct with dried flowers such as lavender and violets. Some sage as well. Black berries and black olive skin. Full-bodied yet linear and energetic with very fine tannins and fantastic length. Fresh and lively in the finish. Merlot. Best after 2026. - 98 points James Suckling

Vivid purple in the glass, gorgeous black cherry and blackcurrant aromas with touches of florality - this 100% Merlot smells wonderfully scented and inviting. Smooth, ample, really quite seductive on the palate, sensual almost in the silky but gripping tannins, beautifully ripe blackcurrant and cherry fruit and crunchy, crisp acidity that is not too sharp or too obvious but lifts the palate and gives a thrill and wonderful freshness to the overall expression. Beautifully presented, harmonious, balanced and totally enjoyable from the first to last sip. A gorgeous wine, intense yet energetic, full of flavour and textural nuance. Totally unputdownable, although with lots of potential for improvement over ageing. The wine spent 18 months in French oak tonneaux and barriques, 30% new. - 97 points Decanter