Petrolo Galatrona, Valdarno di Sopra Toscana IGT – 2021

Galatrona is the “Grand-Cru” of Petrolo, made with Merlot grapes from a single vineyard Galatrona planted between the end of the 80’s and the early 90’s with low vigour bordeaux clones. Organic certified. 

The soil here is loam, rich in clay, with shale, marl and sandstone. Altitude 300m. South-eastern exposure. Located on the southeastern borders of the Chianti Hills, in the DOC Val d’Arno di Sopra. Clay helps keep moisture in the soil, which is very important for the Merlot grapes during the hot, dry, Tuscan summers. The combination of stones, shale and clay is among the elements that allow Galatrona to produce elegant and full- bodied wines even in what are considered minor vintages.

“The 2021 Val d’Arno di Sopra Galatrona shows extremely focused aromas, but very generous ones all the while, with soft mint, cherry and stracciatella over a full-bodied texture with soft layers of spice and cedarwood. The wine boasts an elegantly chalky quality to the tannins, but the mouthfeel is so generous, everything irons out beautifully over the palate. It ages in a combination of new and used barrique.”97+/100 Wine Advocate

“Dark ruby red colour. Finely spicy on the nose, blackcurrants, fine earthy notes, plus a hint of dried rose petal, some cigar box. On the palate a fruity texture, entwined with hearty, juicy tannin, elegant flow, comes back long and juicy in the finish on fine spicy tones, still a bit young.” 100pts Falstaff and winner of Europe’s Best Merlot in their February/March 2025 edition.