Thanks for the note. There was a Galatrona at the Italian OL but I did not get to taste it and I don't know what vintage it was. I have always enjoyed Petrolo wines.

LB,
The Galatrona is quite different from the Torrione. After having tasted a limited number of wines from Petrolo ('04 & '05 Galatrona and '03, '04 & '05 Torrione) I think that the Galatrona is more steady in terms of style. Its a Merlot that belongs to the worldwide top. Both the '04 and '05 are refined, complex and layered.

The Torrione was quite different over the 3 vintages. The '03 is a nice, well made sangiovese, nothing special. The '04 is a concentrated, big wine that needs loads of time. The '05 is a balanced wine with lots of ripe fruit and structure.

Looking forward to tasting notes from the Italian OL. In particular the Galatrona!

So I think I hear:

Buy 04 Torrione and lay down (I still have some 97's!)
Buy 05 Torrione and drink or wait a bit

Right?

DBW

Right!

2005 Fattoria Petrolo Il Torrione Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (10/31/2009)
Initially it was muted and hollow on the mid palate. After almost a full 24 hours in the bottle it opened up beautifully. Quite different from the last time I had it! But the flavor profile was very similar:
Deep ruby color. Intense aromas of ripe blackcurrant and blackberry and hints of tobacco. Full bodied with lots of ripe fruit and smooth tannins. Long finish.
Should perhaps wait a year or two before I open the next bottle. Drink 2011 - 2014. (91 pts.)