Tenuta Luce “Luce” 2017 25th Anniversary

฿4,850.00

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.

ไวน์ Facts

Country: Italy
Sub Region: Toscana IGT
Vintage: 2017
Colour: Red
Varietal: Merlot, Sangiovese
Alcohol %: 14.6%
Food Suggestion: Tomahawk Beef, BBQ Sheep
Provenance (Old/New World): Old World
Bottle Size: 750 ml

Wine Score

95 Critics' Score, Aggregated

Decanter 95Points

95 points Decanter
“March 19th 2020 was the 25th anniversary of Luce, a relatively young project founded by the Mondavi and Frescobaldi families in Montalcino. Despite the obvious cancellation of the event, the 2017 vintage celebrates this birthday properly. Luce is one of the few Super Tuscans of Montalcino. Compared to Brunello it is blended with Merlot adding suppleness and focused on new oak ageing. Deep crimson in colour, full of clove, vanilla and buttery aromas, than brights for black cherry and plummy notes, graphite and cherry flavour, with an earthy mineral finish. Grainy velvety tannins (impressive for 2017 vintage) and firm acidity are well supported by incredibly rich fruit concentration and suppleness. A wine drinkable now with potential for ageing.

Grape Variety

Merlot – Sangiovese wines are made from two grape varieties extensively grown and widely appreciated in Italy. Sangiovese is internationally renowned for its well-balanced structure and savory flavors. It also happens to be Italy’s most planted grape variety, one that has found considerable success in various New World regions. The ubiquitous Merlot, on the other hand, is a relatively new addition to Italy’s stable of wine grapes, but production volumes have increased exponentially since the 1990s.

The mix is especially noteworthy in Tuscany, where it can be conceptualized as a modern interpretation of the Chianti blend under the Toscana IGT. Sangiovese almost always plays the dominant role in the blend, with Merlot used to soften the wine’s texture and make it more approachable in its youth. Merlot also adds fruitiness and juiciness to the blend, complementing Sangiovese’s more savory and herbaceous qualities.

Because Merlot ripens earlier in the vineyard than Cabernet Sauvignon, the Merlot – Sangiovese blend is especially suited to inland regions where Cabernet Sauvignon may struggle to achieve optimum maturity. Of course, the addition of Cabernet to this particular blend makes some of Italy’s most famous wines – the so-called Super Tuscans.

The blend has also been successful in California and Australia where a number of approachable and food-friendly wines have been produced.

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.

In 2017, a crisp spring was followed by a warm, sunny and dry summer with bright cloudless
skies. The clayey soils of the Merlot vineyards provided the plants with adequate water reserves, which helped reduce any heat-related stresses. Rain showers in mid-September supported a perfect ripening of the grapes.