Petrolo Galatrona 2021 (750ML)

100 FS / 98 VM / 98 JS / 97 DE / 96 WI / 96 WS

#90 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of 2023

#27 James Suckling's Top 100 Italian Wines of 2023

Dark ruby red. Oak, blackcurrants, fine earthy notes, plus a hint of dried rose petals and cigar box. On the palate, a beautiful sweet texture, entwined with hearty, juicy tannins, elegant, long and exceptionally juicy on the finish, with fine savoury notes, still a bit young. - Falstaff

The 2021 Galatrona is a fine follow-up to the 2020. In most vintages, Galatrona is very showy right out of the gate. That is not at all the case with the 2021, a wine that is going to need a number of years to be at its finest. Black cherry, plum, mocha, leather, licorice and incense infuse the 2021 with tremendous complexity. More than anything else, I admire a feeling of vertical, explosive energy that catapults the 2021 into the stratosphere. This is a tremendous wine by any measure. - Antonio Galloni

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. - 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. 3.56pH. - Georgina Hindle

The 2021 Galatrona, 100% Merlot, is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. Quite closed to start, it requires a lot of swirling to bring out wonderfully pure notes of wild blueberries and juicy blackberries, followed by hints of plum pudding, cinnamon stick, and violets. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock full of bright, energetic black fruits with firm, ripe, grainy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and perfumed. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Though seamless and lusciously saturated with black currant, blackberry, violet, iron, tobacco and spice aromas and flavors, this red is also solidly built, with polished tannins. Nevertheless, this is more about finesse and elegance than power, with a vibrant profile and superlong finish. Merlot. Best from 2025 through 2042. From Italy.—B.S., Wine Spectator Insider Hot Wine