Fattoria Petrolo Galatrona
Fattoria Petrolo Galatrona is a Merlot that should have appeared during Merlot Month. Fattoria Petrolo Galatrona is one of the most revered Merlot’s in Italy, Galatrona’s fairly small annual production of 13,000 bottles make it highly sought after though the price is nowhere near a Redigaffi. The 2004 was an awesome one off. The 2004 vintage was crazy across Tuscany producing many greats, but it is here where the vintage gave a great wine the kick into legendary status. The 2004 got a stonking 96 points from Antonio Galloni and an outrageous 97 from James Suckling at Wine Spectator and year after year this bottle is awarded the prestigious Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchere. 2004 Petrolo Galatrona is special, its all that and a bag of chips it is a case buy wine, no questions asked.
Fattoria Petrolo are a slice of Tuscan heaven. Not only do they grow this award winning Merlot but their piece of Tuscany is also a kind of Agriturismo come holiday estate with swimming pools and tennis courts and a beautiful Tuscan villa in which you can stay. You may or may not know your author here has two passions, and two jobs in fact, I love wine but I also love foreign travel, being one of the founders of HotelsClick.com and selling villas across Tuscany. As beautiful as it is, some kind of busmans holiday I would enjoy at this property! If this looks like your kind of holiday a list of prices can be obtained by clicking here. Sadly, this property isn’t on my books! Boo Hoo.
Back to the wine. This Merlot is an outrageous deal. I got to try the 2004 this week and it is absolute QPR heaven. In my opinion a 95 point wine, I wasn’t quite as impressed as JS but for the money a better value Tuscan Merlot surely can’t be found. Can it? This is a wine that must be decanted and probably a points value will depend on which part of the time bell curve you are sampling.This is the wine! This is the wine you are looking for to impress your boss, new girlfriend (or boyfriend), for your wedding anniversary, this is the wine, call off the dogs, stop the search and just use the links below to buy a case of the 2004. If you like Merlot, this is it, this is standing side by side with Pomerol. Did I mention the price yet? €75. If you are balling €75 a bottle its a no brainer, otherwise, go for the 2001 Falesco Montiano.
Fattoria Petrolo Galatrona 2004 – BUY – €75
Lovely dark ruby red, a vibrant almost blood red in the glass. An explosive nose, particularly fresh, vibrant and fruity, loads of dark cherries, chocolate and some floral notes too, I also got some smoke and spices. A complex nose indeed unfolding like a flower. Full bodied and luscious on the palate, superb balance to the wine and a finish that goes on for a full minute. A wine for decanting several hours. Great value, top ageing potential. 95 Points
Where can I buy this wine?
Europeans – Italian Wine Selection – €75
Americans – Wine Boutique – $99
Brits – Fine and Rare – £51
Australians – Italian Wine Selection – AU$126
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The Brits got a fair deal for once! What have you been drinking over the weekend? What are you drinking over next weekend? What are you drinking right now?
Something Italian actually. We tried the Ruffino Gold you wrote about last week although we were not as impressed. Still quite palateable.
I’ve only tasted a couple bottles of Galatrona – 2000 and 2003 specifically – and thought they were quite good. The 2000 was more to my liking, however. Here’s my note: [i]Dark ruby/burgundy colour with black tinges. Aromas of vanilla, butterscotch, blackcurrant, herbs, blueberry, and black olive tapenade. Full-bodied, with raspberry, plums, blueberry, plums, and black olive tapenade. Long finish, with raspberry and blackcurrant notes. Really nice stuff.[/i]It was decanted for a couple hours, and to be honest I’ve liked it as much and in some cases, more, than some bottles of Masseto that I’ve had.I’ve been drinking mostly daily stuff lately – 2004 d’Angelo Aglianico del Vulture, 2006 Altesino Rosso (not di Montalcino), 2004 Domaine Grand Veneur Cotes-du-Rhone Les Champauvins (great single-vineyard wine for $20CAD), but dipped into 2001 Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione (too young), 1997 Sottimano Barbaresco Pajore (too young), and 2005 Sottimano Barbera d’Alba Pairolero (just right).Glad to see you back and posting, Sarah!— Jay
Looks like a great wine. One question though – does the Fattoria Petrolo Galatrona come as only a red wine or a white one too?
Here is my question. If J. Suckling says that the 2007 Galatrona reminds him of the ´89 Petrus why is it still available at such a low price. Can anyone clear this up especially after the post that said it was better than Masseto.
Yuri huipiles@hotmail.com
Here is my question. If J. Suckling says that the 2007 Galatrona reminds him of the ´89 Petrus why is it still available at such a low price. Can anyone clear this up especially after the post that said it was better than Masseto.
Yuri huipiles@hotmail.com