Petrolo Galatrona 2023

98 points James Suckling: "The aromas of black currants, graphite, lavender and violets are gorgeous. Black olives and walnuts, too. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins, a racy texture and small black berry-like flavors. Iron undertones as well as dark chocolate, dried sage and rosemary. Vertical nature to this. One for the cellar. Pure merlot. From organically grown grapes. Best after 2030. (7/20/25)"

98 points Colin Hay (The Drinks Business): "(Val d’Arno di Sopra; 100% Merlot; spontaneous vinification in glazed concrete vats; malolactic and aging in French oak tonneaux and barriques for 18 months, a third of them new; 14% alcohol; certified organic). Further evidence, if any were needed (alongside that of Masseto and Giorgio Primo), that even in a context of accelerating global climate change, single-vineyard monocépage Merlot from Tuscany is, at its best, world-leading. A wine famously referred to as Tuscany’s Le Pin – and you can see why. This is open and highly expressive aromatically, but it’s much tighter and tauter on the palate with the considerable fruit intensity seemingly amplified by the narrow frame and pronounced linear spine to which the fruit seems constantly drawn. Incredibly sapid and juicy on the finish, this is one of the rare wines in this year’s autumn collection that almost seems to pulse on the finish with wave after wave of fresh fruit released with the bite and grip of the ultra-fine grained tannins. (9/2/25)"

95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2023 Galatrona,100% Merlot, is soft, plush and sensual. Dark blue/purplish fruit, cloves, new leather, menthol and licorice all meld together in the glass. Soft, caressing contours shape this mid-weight, understated vintage of the estate's flagship wine. The 2023 is not a huge Galatrona but is instead a wine that impresses with its finesse. This is a step up from the 2022. Drink: 2028-2043. (Jun 2025)"

95 points James Button (Decanter): "Petrolo's 100% Merlot is one of Tuscany's flagship reds. Dark and plummy aromas are lifted by some invigorating blueberry notes, while in the mouth it showcases an intense, structural palate of sapid dark fruits and balsamic herbs. The oak influence peeks through as a layer of liquorice, then floral overtones segue into a zesty finish of orange peel and flecks of wood. While absolutely delicious, it doesn't quite have the same amplitude as the 2022. Drinking Window: 2026-2046. (7/7/25)"