2019 Galatrona Merlot Val d´Arno di Sopra Petrolo Magnum

Blackberries and black cherries with lavender and violets on the nose. Full-bodied with velvety, chewy tannins, yet the fruit is very intense with vibrancy and energy. Muscular, yet agile. Pure and poised. A unique definition of merlot in Tuscany. Drink after 2025.

A deep well of blackberry, black plum and chocolate marks this monumental red. There is austerity, but also great concentration of fruit, mineral and wild herbs, with great energy and plenty in reserve.

Made with organic Merlot grapes, the Petrolo 2019 Galatrona is soft and luscious, spreading evenly over the palate with elegance and sweeping intensity. The bouquet shows dark fruit, black cherry and sweet prune. Those dark fruit tones are woven into pretty layers of spice, leather and perfumed tobacco. I like the tight, compact, yet fundamentally rich quality that is part of the mouthfeel in this important vintage. This wine could be considered a bit lighter and more ethereal compared to recent past releases, but I found that all the wines in this batch of new releases go in this same direction.

The 2019 Galatrona is a gorgeous wine. It possesses striking depth, but with the freshness and delineation that is a signature these days. Blue/purple fruit, mocha, incense, espresso and lavender build in this potent, pure Merlot from the hills. The 2019 is one of the better recent vintages I can remember tasting.