Petrolo Galatrona 2012 (1.5L)

96 JS / 96 WA / 93 AG / 93 WS

Wine #24 James Sucklings Top 100 Tuscan Wines of 2014

Very racy and refined with bright acidity and a blueberry and dark-chocolate character. Love the interplay of acidity and ripe fruit. Minerals and dark fruits, too. Very Pomerol. Pure merlot. Better in 2016 when it softens. James Suckling

The 2012 Galatrona bursts open with amazing intensity, personality and precision. Compared to the 2011 vintage, this wine shows sharper lines and a more etched personality. That trend continues to the mouth where the wines shows firm, but yielding tannins with good structure and acidity to match. Galatrona is a tonic and sophisticated wine that shows the best of Tuscany winemaking. The Merlot grape is international, but Galatrona is amazingly territory specific. Its flavors transport you to a world of Renaissance painting and soft marble statues. - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

Petrolo's flagship 2012 Galatrona (Merlot) shows off its typical opulence and voluptuousness, within the limits of the vintage. A host of dark red cherry, plum, mocha, spice and French oak overtones meld together effortlessly. The 2012 needs time in bottle to develop further aromatic complexity and shed some baby fat, but it is quite pretty today. As always, Galatrona shows the riper, richer side of Merlot. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

There is more red fruit here, floral even, delivering raspberry and cherry flavors. Super elegant, lively and succulent, with accents of oak spice, wild herbs and tobacco on the finish. Lighter and linear, with fine intensity. Tasted non-blind. Drink now through 2035. - Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator