Fattoria Petrolo
Galatrona Merlot
Tuscany, Italy
Back when I was a University student 50 years ago I used to smoke a pipe and one of my favourite tobaccos was McBarens Plum Cake pipe tobacco. Tuscan Merlot often reminds me of that. I must admit I often prefer these wines when they are younger with more plummy, black cherry fruit and less earthy savouriness. The 2007 I had some time ago was better. Have the last bottle in the next couple of years. Postscript: 99 points from James Suckling.
Back when I was a University student 50 years ago I used to smoke a pipe and one of my favourite tobaccos was McBarens Plum Cake pipe tobacco. Tuscan Merlot often reminds me of that. I must admit I often prefer these wines when they are younger with more plummy, black cherry fruit and less earthy savouriness. The 2007 I had some time ago was better. Have the last bottle in the next couple of years. Postscript: 99 points from James Suckling.
Jan 24th, 2025Wonderful perfume, wonderful palate, wonderful wine! Aromatic red and black fruits, spicy, plummy, with a leather note and a menthol, slightly tarry note. Finishes with fine dry, sandy tannins. The Wine Spectator reviewer was highly impressed saying “Reminds me of the 1989 Petrus - stunning Merlot”. Even at 17 years of age I probably drank this a few years early. One of the 1001 Wines.
Wonderful perfume, wonderful palate, wonderful wine! Aromatic red and black fruits, spicy, plummy, with a leather note and a menthol, slightly tarry note. Finishes with fine dry, sandy tannins. The Wine Spectator reviewer was highly impressed saying “Reminds me of the 1989 Petrus - stunning Merlot”. Even at 17 years of age I probably drank this a few years early. One of the 1001 Wines.
May 6th, 2024
Lovely. Silky. Always classy.
Lovely. Silky. Always classy.
Jun 15th, 2023
Night 1 of the Fall WNH event in San Antonio. What a killer start to the extended weekend, all courtesy to Shawn and Jennifer for hosting! Tonight was Italian wines.
Dominant Merlot. Great depth. Extracted blackberries on the nose with new saddle leather. Bloodied plum and muddled raspberries. This is a beautiful wine! Nice bottle @Joe Lucca !
Night 1 of the Fall WNH event in San Antonio. What a killer start to the extended weekend, all courtesy to Shawn and Jennifer for hosting! Tonight was Italian wines.
Dominant Merlot. Great depth. Extracted blackberries on the nose with new saddle leather. Bloodied plum and muddled raspberries. This is a beautiful wine! Nice bottle @Joe Lucca !
Divine. Coffee, mulling spices, dark berry compote with chewy tannins. A treat
Divine. Coffee, mulling spices, dark berry compote with chewy tannins. A treat
May 15th, 2018
2003 | Merlot
Fattoria Petrolo; Galatrona
Tuscany; Val d’Arno di Sopra, Italy
2003 | Merlot
Fattoria Petrolo; Galatrona
Tuscany; Val d’Arno di Sopra, Italy
Dark Ruby in colour. Rich aromas of Blue and black fruits, ripe plum, leather and pipe tobacco. On the medium to full bodied palate there is ripe plum, savoury blue berry, spice and dark chocolate finishing with fine grained tannins. In a blind tasting I would swear this had a Cabernet component but it is 100% delicious Tuscan Merlot. To be honest there are not special examples of Australian Merlot and I need to drink more of the grape to become more familiar with its flavour profile, but this was outstanding for sure.
Dark Ruby in colour. Rich aromas of Blue and black fruits, ripe plum, leather and pipe tobacco. On the medium to full bodied palate there is ripe plum, savoury blue berry, spice and dark chocolate finishing with fine grained tannins. In a blind tasting I would swear this had a Cabernet component but it is 100% delicious Tuscan Merlot. To be honest there are not special examples of Australian Merlot and I need to drink more of the grape to become more familiar with its flavour profile, but this was outstanding for sure.
1 person found it helpfulApr 21st, 2021Mentholated blue fruits. Rich and ripe and hot. Believe it or not would be difficult to not think high end Aussie Shiraz at some point
Mentholated blue fruits. Rich and ripe and hot. Believe it or not would be difficult to not think high end Aussie Shiraz at some point
1 person found it helpfulAug 3rd, 2020