PETROLO TORRIONE VAL D'ARNO DI SOPRA
TUSCANY, ITALY 2019
To be able to bring you a benchmark wine from the Italian cult producer Petrolo for less than $30 — yes, friends: today is a very good day.
And when you consider that James Suckling awarded it 95 points — well, it just gets better and better.
Petrolo is surely one of the most stunning stories in wine over the past quarter-century. After taking over the estate in 1993, Luca Sanjust, an art world luminary, brought in some of the wine world’s top consultants, including Giulio Gambelli — a giant in Tuscany, renowned for his work with legacy estates Soldera and Montevertine — and Denis Durantou of Château L’Eglise-Clinet. Their efforts paid off immediately, as, almost overnight, the wines began to garner critical acclaim and chatter. They also became harder and harder to find, with high demand making them prized possessions.
Fortunately we were able to secure an allocation of the newest vintage of Petrolo’s benchmark wine, the 2019 Torrione.
When Sanjust bought the estate in Valdorna di Sopra, a region bordering Chianti Classico, and historically recognized as one of the best wine-producing areas in all of Tuscany, he discovered that the land was ideally suited to the growing of French varietals.
The mix of French and Italian grapes marks Sanjust as somewhat unorthodox in a region that adheres so faithfully to tradition, but no one can argue with the results.
With this blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, Sanjust and his team have produced a wine of stunning depth and length. But not just depth and length. Listen to Suckling: “Very perfumed with sweet-berry and fresh flower aromas that already show brightness and beauty. Perfumed. Full-bodied with very well-integrated tannins and pure, vivid fruit at the finish. This is all in finesse and depth.”
In our tastings, we were impressed by its sturdy structure, which surely will allow it to age for at least a decade.
But Suckling is right: it's already showing brightness and beauty, and it paired wonderfully at a number of meals I prepared over the past couple of weeks, including a lamb with rosemary and olive oil potatoes, a hearty bowl of lamb Bolognese, and even a strapping meatball sub with mozzarella.
This is one you’ll definitely want to stock up on — secure a case or two before our allocation is gone!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2022. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in MI, NY or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, January 30, 2022.
