~ The “Dottore” section of the Galatrona Vineyard ~

“Because all the love and respect we dedicate to farming our piece of land here in Petrolo is returned in the beauty of the wines that nature bestows on us.”

 
Petrolo has Roman origins, the name Petrolo itself comes from the term Petroliarum (mansion-house, or country residence) but older Etruscan settlements also existed on the same fields were Petrolo sits today.
 
Both the names Galatrona and Bòggina are Etruscan, the latter probably derives from an Etruscan family which lived in the Tuscan hills 3,000 years ago.  Their spirit is alive in the wines of this estate and while nothing is left to chance, the team at Petrolo knows that you are always at the mercy of Bacchus. 

“Making great wines is complex, a coincidence of circumstances is needed:special pedoclimatic conditions, awareness and caring work in the cellar and finally a good dose of luck.”
 

~ Barriques being filled during harvest at Petrolo ~

Today we spotlight the 2009 Galatrona, the pure Merlot from the hills of the estate which sits between Florence and Arezzo.  First produced in 1994, Galatrona consistently ranks as one of Tuscany’s greatest pure Merlot.  Aged for 2 years prior to release, Galatrona rests in French barrique for 18 months (6 months on the lees) and then 6 months in bottle before heading to market.

The 2009 Galatrona is dark purple in the decanter, trending almost to black. In the glass, there are violet streaks and reflections evident toward the rim of the bowl.  The aromas are pure and focused with ripe blackberry fruit framed with cigar box, mocha, sweet pipe tobacco and fresh herbs. It’s amazing. 
 
On the palate, the wine is ripe, full bodied, lavishly oaked, and fairly tannic. There is complexity lurking underneath and even on the ripe, silky, tannin shortened finish, you can appreciate the mint, mineral, eucalyptus and floral components to this ripe wine.  It needs a few more years bottle age to soften the oak notes, but the fruit here is so wonderful,  I have no doubt this will age effortlessly.  95 points.  About $90. 
 
~ 100%  Merlot –  Galatrona is produced from a single vineyard ~
With this wine, we had a rustic meal of Italian red lentils with shrimp.   Following my previous recipes for “Shrimp with Beans & Greens”  this adaptation was delicious and I used a generous handful of crushed red pepper to give it some kick. 
 
~ Red lentils with Shrimp, Arugula, Tomato, Radiccio, onions and garlic ~
 
Tutti a Tavola!
 
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