Petrolo - Torrione 2016

Petrolo - Torrione 2016 (89+ TSW)
Tuscan blend with 80% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

I am a big fan of The Petrolo wines and so also this Tuscan blend 80% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Torrione is made mainly from the Sangiovese grapes coming from the historical vines of the 70’s and from more recent vineyards. The recent ones were planted following extremely rigorous guidelines based both on the number of vines per ha and on meticulous zoning which enabled us to identify the best root-stocks to use. The yield per plant is very limited allowing the concentration of all the noble components of the grape fundamental to the great structure, elegance and balance wanted for this wine.

The maceration of the skin lasts more than 14 days. The pumping overs are done with considerable care to allow the complete extraction of anthocyanins and polyphenols from the skins. Usually the malolactic fermentation takes place regularly, partly in French oak barriques of first, second and third year, partly in 40 Hl oak barrels and partly in enamelled cement vats . By the first days of December the wine begins its aging period.

The wine rests in French oak barriques and tonneaux, of first, second and third year and in 40 Hl oak barrels of around 10 years, for approximately 15 months. During this phase the wine is left for the first 6 months on the fine lees, paying particular attention to its development. This process allows to achieve greater complexity. After bottling, the wine begins its usual refinement period of about 6 months.

My tasting notes:

I first decanted this young wine for an hour.
In the glass a medium+ ruby red color.
On the medium+ nose aromas op ripe cherries, blueberries and dark plums with hints of spices, new leather and cedar tones.
On the palate dry, medium+ bodied with medium acidity and ripe medium+ tannins. Flavours are a recall of the nose with extra flavours of leather, red currants and liquorice. Nice long and spicy finish.