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Tenuta Luce

Lucente 2020

Toscana IGT

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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.

After the first strict selection of the very best grapes for Luce, the next selection is used for Lucente and is often coming from the younger vineyards planted in the Luce estate. Lucente represents a more approachable expression of the estate’s unique terroir.

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 two varietals that go into creating Lucente are harvested at slightly different times: the Merlot is picked during the first week of September, while the Sangiovese is harvested the third week of September. The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for 10 days and does an additional 20 days of skin maceration. The wine is aged in part new, part re-used wooden barriques for 12 months before bottling.

Vintage

Winter was mainly dry and mild leading to an early but homogeneous budding of the plants
starting from the second week of March for Sangiovese and from the third week for Merlot.
Spring was sunny, accompanied by some rains in May and June, favoring the course of an
excellent flowering, which took place slightly earlier in the last week of May. Summer was hot and dry with good temperature ranges between day and night. In the last week of August, two very precious rains brought relief to the plants and lowered temperatures, allowing the vines to complete grape ripening. The harvest began on the third of September in ideal conditions, with sunny days without heat peaks. These conditions resulted in grapes of excellent quality, with excellent phenolic ripeness and great aromatic balance

Tasting Note

Lucente 2020 shows a brilliant ruby red color. The nose is rich in black fruits such as blueberries and blackberries, accompanied by a light balsamic and pan brioché note. The palate is soft supported by a nice freshness, with enveloping tannins and a long fruity aftertaste.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Merlot, Sangiovese

Appellation

Toscana IGT

Alcohol

14%

Suggested Retail Price

$35.00

Reviews

93

"Spices, cassis and sweet berries"

James Suckling - August 11, 2023 "A rich and flavorful red showing subtle cocoa powder, roasted spices, cassis and sweet berries. Juicy and medium- to full-bodied on the palate with fine tannins and a long, polished finish." -J.S 8/23

91

"Tobacco and toasty oak"

Wine Spectator - October 13, 2023 "Both rich and salty, this red expresses black currant, cherry and plum flavors framed by cedar, tobacco and toasty oak. Turns more elegant midpalate through the finish, where refreshing acidity, refined tannins and spice notes linger." -B.S 10/23

Trade Materials

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Luce Lucente Bottle Shot

Other Wines by this Producer

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Luce

Luce is a singular and irresistible expression of Montalcino, a Super Tuscan with an exotic and some would say decadent side. 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 a landscape.

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.