Petrolo, Val d’Arno di Sopra DOC (Tuscany, Italy) Merlot 2021

 Over the last decade, Luca Sanjust’s Petrolo has become one of Tuscany’s most revered estates, with Wine Spectator calling this top cuvée, Galatrona, the “Le Pin of Tuscany.”  The Petrolo Galatrona was created in 1994 when Luca Sanjust’s second child, Lucia, was born.  This is a beautiful expression of Merlot and the estate’s headline wine.  The 2021 Merlot opens with ample fresh fruits and spices: black cherry skin, blackberries, crushed raspberry, dried mint, black pepper, and pencil lead.  On the palate, there is ample structure supported by the formidable tannins and acidity that promise decades more evolution in the cellar.  This offers a peek into the world of best-in-class winemaking.