About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Torrione is conceived as a portrait of the whole Petrolo estate, combining fruit from several vineyards. Its Sangiovese comes from Bòggina and other historic sites, while Galatrona supplies Merlot and Campo Lusso supplies Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2023 fruit grew at approximately 300 m on a mixture of galestro schist and alberese limestone.
The Sangiovese component includes grapes from vineyards planted in the 1970s as well as newer vineyards established after detailed zoning work to select suitable rootstocks and planting densities. Yields are restricted to no more than 1 kg per vine.
Bòggina, first planted by Gastone Bazzocchi in 1947, has traditionally formed the heart of Torrione. It has gradually been replanted through massal selection to preserve its old vine material, although an increasing portion has been reserved for Bòggina wine since 2006. Casariccio is a 2 ha Sangiovese vineyard planted in the early 1990s above a small lake. Lecceta is planted entirely to Sangiovese and has more than 45 years of history; some vines may predate phylloxera. Asilo covers approximately 2 ha, while the 1 ha Campaccio vineyard lies amid woodland near the Tower of Galatrona.
Grapes
Blend proportions vary by vintage. Latest published vintage (2023): 80% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vinification
The 2023 harvest ran from early September to early October. Grapes were picked manually into crates and selected on a sorting table. Natural fermentation took place with native yeasts in glazed concrete vats, supported by gentle and frequent manual pump-overs.
Ageing
Spontaneous malolactic fermentation took place in wood. Maturation used a combination of concrete tanks, 40 hL French oak casks, tonneaux and barriques. The general production protocol gives an ageing period of approximately 15–18 months.
Technical data
The 2023 vintage is IGT Toscana Rosso, with 14% alcohol, total acidity of 5.32 g/L and pH 3.57. Production amounted to 30,000 bottles plus larger formats. Torrione is produced and bottled at the estate.
Tasting profile
The 2023 has a dark, concentrated character, with plum, black cherry and sweet-earth aromas followed by nutmeg and cedar. Its richness and texture are balanced, producing a smooth, elegant mouthfeel. Another published assessment emphasizes cherry and berry fruit alongside bark, milk chocolate and hazelnut, leading to a long, fresh and silky finish. The wine is full-bodied yet retains a lively, crunchy quality.
Vintage notes
The 2023 release is classified as IGT Toscana Rosso. Its formal technical data identifies Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as the blend. The vintage was presented as approachable on release.
Label / history
Lucia Bazzocchi Sanjust initiated Torrione in 1988 with the assistance of consultant Giulio Gambelli. It marked the beginning of Petrolo’s modern focus on highly selected wines. Its multi-vineyard composition follows the historic Tuscan practice of blending Sangiovese with French varieties while maintaining the estate’s territorial identity.
The 2018 label carried a special flying-heart design to celebrate Torrione’s thirtieth anniversary. The artwork was created with the contribution of artist Sabina Mirri.