2016 Petrolo, Galatrona, IGT

This is the flagship wine from Luca Sanjust's Petrolo estate located not too far from Arezzo in the Valdarno area of eastern Tuscany. The 2016 Galatrona is indeed a masterpiece to behold. This wine offers thick layering and deep intensity with aromas that offer an incredible range, starting off with luscious dark chocolate on one side and ending with fragrant white truffle on the far end of its long aromatic trajectory. You get plummy fruit, spice, sweet tobacco and tilled earth packed tight in between. This full-bodied Merlot is softly textured and succulent with long-lasting flavor intensity on the close. Petrolo's Merlot is planted in a ten-hectare parcel distinguished by thick clay soils. I have been watching Galatrona's evolution for years and have tasted the wine on occasion in various vertical tastings. This is my favorite vintage made thus far.

Much Tuscan Merlot is overblown, but the clay parcels among the Petrolo vineyards are ideal for this variety, and Galatrona rightly enjoys a legendary reputation in this category. Initially sumptuous on the nose, with its black-cherry aromas, this also has a spicy, savoury dimension, and a dash of vanilla from the oak. Concentrated and voluptuous, it’s lifted by fine-grained tannins and lively acidity, and given added complexity with its nuances of liquorice and mocha. Fine length.