Tenuta Luce 2020
Vintage
2020
Region
Montalcino, Tuscany
Country
Italy
Style
Still
Grape Varieties
Merlot, Sangiovese
ABV
14.5%
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
Tenuta Luce 2020 is produced from Merlot and Sangiovese grown for Luce, the flagship wine of Tenuta Luce in Montalcino. The Merlot was harvested on 3 September and the Sangiovese on 16 September. At harvest, the Merlot showed 255g/l sugar, 6.20g/l total acidity and pH 3.45, while the Sangiovese showed 243g/l sugar, 7.10g/l total acidity and pH 3.35. These parameters supported both ripeness and freshness in the final blend.
Vinification
Fermentation took place in cement tanks at 28?C and lasted 12 days. The wine remained on the skins for 22 days, supporting colour, structure and aromatic depth. Malolactic fermentation took place in barriques. Ageing was carried out for 24 months in barriques, 80% new and 20% one-year-old, giving the wine structure, polish and integration. Bottling took place in November 2022.
2020
The 2020 season began with a mild, dry January and February, leading to early budbreak from mid-March for Sangiovese and late March for Merlot. Warm spring weather and May rainfall supported excellent flowering and rapid fruit set. June rain helped prepare the vines for a hot, dry summer. Two important late-August rains refreshed the vines and lowered temperatures, creating ideal final ripening conditions. Merlot and Sangiovese were harvested in excellent health and ripeness.
Tasting Note
Intense ruby red in colour. The nose is complex and elegant, showing ripe black fruit, especially blackberry and mulberry, alongside cocoa and sweet spice. The palate is harmonious and lively, with excellent structure balanced by vibrant acidity. Soft, silky tannins give refinement and texture, while ripe fruit and oak-derived nuance add depth. The finish is elegant, persistent and composed, showing the concentration and balance of Luce 2020.
Food Pairing
Pair with grilled rib-eye, roast lamb, venison, wild boar ragu, beef Wellington, porcini mushrooms, aged Pecorino, truffle dishes or rich Tuscan meat sauces.