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Tenuta Luce

Luce 2022

Toscana IGT

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Luce is a singular and irresistible expression of Montalcino, a Super Tuscan with an exotic side, and above all full of pleasure. The spectacular estate’s diversity of soils, expositions and biodiversity of olive groves and forests come together in a wine as vibrant and exciting as the landscape.

From the beginning, Luce was a bold proposition. The iconic estate located in the hills of southwest Montalcino was originally identified as a great area by the Marchese Vittorio Frescobaldi in the 1960s, and later launched as the Luce partnership between the Marchese and California wine legend Robert Mondavi. The wine was first produced from an outstanding Sangiovese vineyard along with a surprising experimental planting of Merlot from the 1960s done by a French company based in Bordeaux. Combining the roundness and softness of Merlot with the structure and elegance of Sangiovese might seem an obvious idea today, especially after the last 20 years of Super Tuscan history, but this was a first in Montalcino. That blending approach is still followed today, and what is so attractive about the result is, in fact, the character of Montalcino that shines through: the dark fruit, power and structure, the complexity of floral and spice notes, the chewiness of the tannin. 

The estate’s iconic name and packaging (Luce translates to “light” in Italian) was inspired by the altar at the Santo Spirito church in Florence – a landmark church built on land donated by the Frescobaldi family during the Renaissance.

Vineyard

The Luce estate covers 615 acres, 217 of which are planted with Sangiovese and Merlot. The estate is in the southwest of Montalcino, at one of the highest elevation points, and south/southwest facing; the freshness and structure that result play in tension with the deep, perfectly ripe fruit. Higher elevation planting have sandstone and limestone, and are ideal for Sangiovese. Clay in the lower altitude vineyards is perfect for the powerful expression of Merlot.

Winemaking

The Merlot and Sangiovese grapes are harvested and fermented separately in multiple harvests, with rigorous fruit selection during picking and meticulous hand sorting. Fermentation is spontaneous with no added yeasts. Blending takes place immediately after fermentation and maceration and prior to barrel aging.

Aging takes place exclusively in French oak in order to develop the wine’s potential and achieve a perfect balance of flavors while respecting and reflecting the characteristics of the vintage.

Vintage

The 2022 Tuscan growing season saw a dry winter, a warm spring, and an exceptionally hot summer with prolonged drought conditions. Concerns over fruit quality led viticulturists to employ irrigation and shading techniques. Fortunately, rains in late July and early August helped rehydrate berries, aligning harvest timing with historical averages. Cooler temperatures in late September preserved freshness, though wines generally show slightly above-average alcohol and pH. Overall, the wines from this vintage are rich and muscular.

Tasting Note

Intense ruby red in color, Luce 2020 stands out on the nose for its complexity and elegance, characterized by ripe black fruits, particularly blackberry and mulberry, which are joined by hints of cocoa and sweet spices. On the palate it is harmonious, lively, with excellent structure, balanced by vibrant acidity and soft, silky tannins that give an elegant finish with great persistence.

Color

Red

Blend %

50% Sangiovese, 50% Merlot

Appellation

Toscana IGT

Alcohol

12.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$149

Reviews

97

James Suckling - July 25, 2024 "A full-bodied red with currant, berry, chocolate and cedar aromas and flavors. It’s chewy and layered with polished tannins. Juicy finish."

96

Vinous - August 1, 2024 "The 2022 Luce is soft, open-knit and relatively easygoing. The mid-weight structure of the year is very much in evidence in a wine that speaks more to finesse than power. Dark red cherry, plum, new leather, licorice and incense gradually open over time, supported by fine, silky tannins that wrap it all together in style. Luce is typically much more potent in the early going, in 2022 the more refined style that has begun to emerge here along with the style of the year yield a Luce that is quite elegant. Its balance is beyond reproach, especially in the integration of something that usually requires at least a few years in bottle."

95

Wine Spectator - October 31, 2024 "A dense, powerful red, this offers black cherry, blackberry, plum, licorice, spice and subtle oak aromas and flavors. Shows ripeness, yet remains fresh and focused, with excellent balance and a long, resonant aftertaste. Sangiovese and Merlot."

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Luce Bottle Shot

Other Wines by this Producer

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Lucente

Lucente is the second wine of Luce, a wine with contemporary style, immediate and great pleasure, and like its elder sibling, an authentic interpretation of Montalcino and the Luce estate.

Brunello di Montalcino

Luce Brunello is the winery’s tribute to Montalcino and the wine that emerged there in the second half of the 19th century to become one of Italy's crowning jewels in wine production. It is produced in a very small quantity to showcase the unique character of a pure Sangiovese from the Luce estate vineyards and pay tribute to the winemaking tradition of Montalcino.