When your family name is Bulgari, the least expectation of any commercial venture is excellence.
When Giovanni Bulgari decided that his passion was not to live and work in the metropolis but to explore the rural landscape of Tuscany with the soul purpose to purchase land, plant vines and build a winery, there was an air of presupposition of success that went with the new venture.
The Podernuovo a Palazzone estate, purchased in 2004, is situated in the Southern part of Tuscany named San Casciano Dei Bagni, in the province of Siena.
Today the estate boasts a state of the art modern winery reflecting the elements of the wine making process (concrete,steel, wood), storage facilities incorporating organic principles, together with some of the finest views given its unique position where Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio meet.
The wines produced contain three red and one white:
Therra, a blend of Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Argirio, a Cabernet Franc.
Sotirio, named after Giovanni Bulgari's great, great grandfather. The flagship wine of the estate, a pure Sangiovese.
NicoLeo, a blend of Chardonnay and Grechetto.
These wines are terroir driven;
Therra, IGT vines trained in spurred cordon, the soil being clayey, sandy with limestone tracks.
Argirio, IGT, vines trained cordon and Guyot, the soil cretaceous with limestone and silt deposits.
Sotirio, IGT, vines trained with the Guyot system, soil composition calcareous with a mixture of sand and silt.
NicoLeo, a Tuscan white, vines in Guyot style, soil made up of clay (red) with sand and silt.
The estate has the finger print of Giovanni Bulgari all over it, who is personally involved himself into every aspect of the transformation from purchase until present.
When in conversation with him, you get the feeling that this man was born for this quest and the hardship and heartbreak that comes with the joy of winemaking was taken in its stride.
When I observe Giovanni looking from the terrace over the vineyards that lay before him, he conveys a man that has seen the view for the very first time, such is the resilient spirit within him.
Tasting Notes
Therra 2013
Ruby red in colour. Black and blue fruits,grilled herbs, the Montepulciano grape taking center stage albeit a small percentage of the whole, aromatic wood with a toasted finish. Persistent,
Points 92 TW
Argirio 2016
Ruby red in colour. Full bodied. Cherry fruit with ripe plum, blue floral notes, roast meat, dried Mediterranean herbs. Soft contours, balanced, mid palate offering spice and bitter chocolate, all held in place with a subtle minerality leading to a linear long finish. Very impressive
Points 94 TW
Sotirio 2015
Medium ruby red in colour. Medium to full bodied. Red cherry, plum, tar, liquorice, slate. Balanced minerality, fine tannins interplay with fresh acidity leading to a clean long finish. The Sangiovese grape here showing its terroir.
Points 93 TW
NicoLeo 2018
Bright straw yellow with green undertones in colour. Aromatics a heady mixture of fresh cut spring flowers, orchard fruit, lychee. An aperitif wine but with striking character, graceful yet agile.
Points 93 TW
This estate although now comparatively young has a great future, led by a man with the right vision, in the right place at the right time.
© Tony Wood
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