Tenuta Luce Lucente 2022
Vintage
2022
Region
Tuscany
Country
Italy
Style
Still
Grape Varieties
Merlot, Sangiovese
ABV
14%
Dietary
Vegetarian
Sustainability
Sustainable Certification
Tenuta Luce
Tenuta Luce is a Montalcino estate in Tuscany, Italy, the first wine in Montalcino to bring together Sangiovese and Merlot. Founded in the early 1990s, the estate is a joint venture between the Frescobaldi family and Robert Mondavi, Luce was among the first estates to challenge convention in Montalcino by combining Sangiovese with Merlot. It helped establish a new category of premium Tuscan wines that sit between Brunello tradition and Super-Tuscan innovation. Located south-west of Montalcino, the estate produces premium Tuscan red wine, Brunello and Super Tuscan-style expressions from a landscape of varied soils, altitudes and exposures. The estate offers a distinctive bridge between Montalcino tradition and contemporary fine wine.
Read MoreViticulture
Lucente 2022 is produced from Merlot and Sangiovese grown at Tenuta Luce in Montalcino. The Merlot was harvested from 28 August and the Sangiovese from 12 September. At harvest, the Merlot reached 250g/l sugar, 5.95g/l total acidity and pH 3.35, while Sangiovese showed 232g/l sugar, 6.20g/l total acidity and pH 3.25. The blend reflects the estate’s combination of Merlot softness and Sangiovese freshness.
Vinification
Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 28?C and lasted 10 days. Maceration on the skins continued for 20 days, building colour, structure and fruit depth. Malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel. The wine was then aged for 12 months in new and used barriques before bottling in May 2024.
2022
The 2022 vintage began with a mostly sunny, dry winter and cold temperatures, delaying budbreak slightly until late March for Sangiovese and early April for Merlot. Rising spring temperatures and limited rainfall encouraged rapid vine growth, while flowering took place under ideal conditions in late May and early June. A hot, dry summer was relieved by around 100mm of rain between late July and mid-August, helping the vines resume development and supporting rapid veraison.
Tasting Note
Ruby red in colour. The nose reflects the sunny character of the vintage, with pomegranate, blackberry and violet, supported by elegant spice. The palate is enveloping and balanced, combining ripe fruit with attractive freshness and well-managed tannins. Medium to full-bodied, it shows smooth texture, Sangiovese lift and Merlot roundness. The finish is savoury, vibrant and persistent, making Lucente 2022 a versatile Montalcino red.
Food Pairing
Pair with roast pork, grilled lamb, beef ragu, tomato-based pasta, mushroom risotto, charcuterie, aubergine parmigiana, hard cheeses or Mediterranean herb-led dishes.