Fattoria Petrolo is located in Località Galatrona in Mercatale Valdarno in Bucine, Arezzo province, Tuscany, Italy, in the Val d’Arno Superiore bordering the south-eastern part of Chianti Classico. The vineyards fall within the Chianti Colli Aretini DOCG (red only) but the owners sell their wines under the Toscana IGT.

Owner: The Bazzocchi family since the 1940s. It was only from the 1990s that Lucia Bazzocchi and her son, Dr Luca Sanjust took the estate in hand which became critically renowned.

Background: The Petrolo estate has Etruscan origins. The Romans had a ‘castrum’ here. In the Middle Ages it was on a pilgrims’ route to Rome. The villa dates from the 1700s, and there are the remains of a lookout tower on the hill, dating from AD 1000, a vestige of the wars between Siena, Florence and Arezzo (Rosemary George, Treading Grapes: 2004: p.133). Luca Sanjust’s grandfather bought the property in 1947. At that time it produced Chianti, with 3,000 hl from 30 ha of vines planted at 1,600 vines/ha). The church on the property, the Pieve di San Giovanni Battista a Galatrona, dates from AD963. It has carvings in marble by Giovanni della Robbia.

Staff: Carlo Ferrini (since June 2002) as Consultant. Previously Giulio Gambelli. Winemaker: Simone Cuccoli. Agronomist: Dott. Carlo Nesterini.

Terroir: The property covers 272 hectares (approximately 672 acres) with 31 hectares (over 76 acres) of specialized vineyards, 19 hectares (47 acres) of olive trees, and the rest wild plants and forest. Altitudes range from between 250–400 mt (750–1200 ft) above sea level. The terrain consists of rocky stratifications of galestro (which suits Sangiovese), moderately loose-packed soil composed of rocky stratifications of claystone, shale and lime stone. The clay suits the Merlot.

Vineyards, wine production: 310ha producing 70,000 bottles (Gambero Rosso: 2015, p.619).

Vineyards: 30 ha. The vineyards fall within the Chianti Colli Aretini DOCG (red only) but the owners sell their wines under the Toscana IGT. From 2001 the estate focussed on its flagship reds: Torrione (Sangiovese) and Galatrona (Merlot), plus the Terre di Galatrona (Merlot–Sangiovese). Luca told me he likes Merlot and planted it in 1990. 4,500-6,500 vines per ha.

Red wines

Toscana Rosso IGT, Terre di Galatrona: 2000 50% each Merlot & Sangiovese.

Toscana Rosso IGT, Bòggina: 2011 100% Sangiovese.

Toscana Rosso IGT, Bògginafora: 2012 Bottled.

Toscana Rosso IGT, Galatrona: 100% Merlot. | 1994 Debut. | 2002 14 days on skins. MLF. 18 months in new French oak, with the first six months in fine lees. Alcohol 13.95 % vol. A bit dull at dinner with Pepe in Argiano on 10th March 2005. | 2011 Rich plum, ripe stewy end, sex appeal (Decanter Fine Wine Encounter 2014).

Toscana Rosso, Torrione: 100% Sangiovese grapes (1970s) and younger vines. | 2010 80% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. £30-59.99. Oddly openknit citrus and high tone on nose but plenty of soft fruit on palate (Commended: DWWA 2013). | 2011 85% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Toscana Rosso, Inarno: 2012 100% Sangiovese.

Sweet wines

Vin Santo: 1993 Bottled. | 1995 Bottled.