Petrolo is in the Colli Aretini, a wooded, hilly area of south-eastern Chianti. The estate has Roman roots, and is overlooked by a medieval hilltop watchtower. Four generations of the Bazzochi family have been making wine here since the 1940s; they have always known they had some phenomenal terroir. In 1990, swayed by soil analysis, they planted their Galatrona vineyard entirely over to Merlot.

It`s no surprise that fourth-generation owner and winemaker Luca Sanjust should be such a dab hand with Merlot. In the early years of Galatrona, he worked with the late, great Denis Durantou of L`Eglise Clinet. He learned his lessons. Galatrona is a showcase example of how well Bordeaux varietals have been able to transplant to Tuscany. (NT 10/08/23)