PoderNuovo a Palazzone: Where Cabernet Franc finds its Tuscan voice

Argirio is PoderNuovo a Palazzone’s pure Cabernet Franc label, described as a benchmark for Tuscany in Decanter’s ‘Value SuperTuscans’ panel tasting [October 2026], where it achieved a stunning 95 points. Judges praised its immediate appeal, succulent dark fruit, grippy tannins and persistent finish.

They also noted that ‘oxygen helps it to shine’ – suggestive of a wine that will reward further ageing and decanting before serving.

Clay and altitude

Argirio takes its name from ‘argilla’ – clay – found in the soils of these vineyards, embellished with veins of limestone and silt.

Cabernet Franc flourishes at PoderNuovo a Palazzone’s estate in San Casciano dei Bagni, which occupies a particularly distinctive geographical position at the crossroads of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio, near Mount Cetona.

The vines’ altitude ensures significant day-night temperature variation, which slows down the ripening process while preserving freshness and acidity, giving wines of depth, elegance and character.

Argirio is born in the organically farmed vineyards but comes into its own in the winery.

Built into a hill and almost invisible from the outside, the cellar’s clean lines and natural materials blend into the surrounding landscape.

With minimal environmental impact at the forefront of the design, photovoltaic panels provide the energy for the operation.

Oak, concrete and time

The subterranean cellars are where Argirio blossoms into a wine ready to enjoy.

Fermentation takes place in conical oak vats and concrete tanks, followed by 18 months’ maturation in oak barriques and at least a further year resting in bottle.

But it’s not just about Cabernet Franc; other varieties are also grown on the estate too.

Alongside native Sangiovese and Grechetto, the family cultivates Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, each planted according to the soil and microclimate.

The most representative wines include Argirio, Sotirio – a pure Sangiovese – and Therra, a blend that clearly demonstrates the team’s considered approach to winemaking.

Luxury experiences for the traveller

Beyond tastings, aperitifs and leisurely lunches, PoderNuovo a Palazzone offers a selection of tailored experiences.

Guests can take to the skies on a helicopter tour or discover the area by Ferrari.

For classic car enthusiasts, an exploration of the Bulgari family’s vintage car collection offers another route into Italian motoring heritage.

And for foodies, nothing beats a morning searching for elusive black truffles before touring the winery, to conclude with a wine tasting lunch featuring the freshly harvested ‘black gold’.

From jewellery to the land: Giovanni Bulgari’s vision

At the heart of this impressive project is Giovanni Bulgari, whose approach to agriculture draws on his family’s tradition of meticulous attention to detail, considered design, and the use of the highest quality materials.

PoderNuovo a Palazzone draws these principles together, unifying viticulture, architecture and environmental responsibility to create a contemporary identity rooted in the Tuscan landscape.

Discover more about PoderNuovo a Palazzone

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