WTN: Petrolo Galatrona 2003

Being a big fan of Petrolo's Torrione Sangiovese, and having found myself very enamored with with a few Merlots-come-lately, I decided to throw caution to the wind on an expensive '03 Tuscan Merlot. Certainly one of the gutsiest Merlots to pass my lips, this is a silver-spoon street-fighter. Very dark blackberry fruit, road tar, roasted duck, black greek olive (more like Cabernet really) and massive, sandy tannins like a mouthful of charcoal. This is a huge departure from the norm for me stylistically, but it is rather impressive. It isn't flabby or overripe, and the alcohol is well within reason. If you have a bottle or two, please do yourself a favor and cellar it like you would Bordeaux -this isn't remotely ready to drink. 13,5% alc. $70