GALATRONA 2021 Val d'Arno di Sopra DOC BIO Petrolo

GALATRONA

Val d’Arno di Sopra DOC – Vigna Galatrona, Merlot

Galatrona is the “Grand-Cru” of Merlot by Petrolo, only made with the grapes from the vineyard of the same name planted between the end of the 80’s and half of the 90’s with low vigor bordeaux clones.

The peculiar soil, rich in clay in combination with schist, marl and sandstones, allows the concentration of all the noble components of the grapes, fundamental for the great structure, elegance, balance and persistence wanted for this wine.

Grape variety: Merlot 100%

Vinegrowing: since 2004 we have been abandoning traditional farming methods practising natural and sustainable solutions: dry farming and no fertilization, no tillage, total grassing with mulch management, no use of synthetic pesticides. In 2016 the winery obtained official Organic Certification.

The Vineyard: Galatrona is the “Grand-Cru” of Merlot made from the vineyard of the same name planted between the end of the 80’s and half of the 90’s with low vigor bordeaux clones in the locality known as Feriale, plants grown on spurred cordon trellising.

The soil: loam rich in clay, with shale, marl and sandstones.

Altitude 300 m asl. South-eastern exposure.

Placed on the South-eastern borders of the Chianti Hills, in the DOC Val d’Arno di Sopra. Clay helps keeping moisture in the soil, of which merlot has higher needs in the hot, dry, Tuscan summers.

The combination of stones, shale and clay is among the elements that allow Galatrona to produce an elegant and full bodied wine even in what are considered minor vintages.

Vinification: manual harvest in crates and further grape selection with sorting table.

Natural vinification with native yeasts in cement vats.

Manual soft and frequent pumping overs.

Aging: spontaneous malo-lactic fermentation in wood.

Maturation in Frech oak barrique, a third new, for about 18 – 20 months. Constant batonnage of the fine lees for the first 6 months.

Style: Itense, elegant wine with great structure and complexity, lovely balance between acidity, fruit and tannins.

A great wine, beyond the grape varietal it is made from, expression of the piece of land it came from, a classic in its own way.