When Vittorio Frescobaldi met Robert Mondavi in the early 90s, a new chapter in the history of the great Tuscan wines was written. From that meeting, a wine came to life inspired by the desire to make a dream come true: to create a wine in Montalcino, a land of choice for the production of excellent wines, that went beyond the boundaries of tradition, while acknowledging and celebrating it, by treasuring the experiences of two historic families in the world of wine. This ambitious project took the name of Tenuta Luce, a name that evokes the sunlight of Montalcino, which is the source of life and nourishment, and marks the passage of the seasons and sets the pace for any and every agricultural activity. Since then, Tenuta Luce has always honoured this vision and the symbolic wine of the Tenuta, Luce, has been joined by other exclusive wines, capable of going beyond the boundaries of their territory and earning unanimous approval nationally and internationally.
Tenuta Luce’s vineyards are a true mosaic of different exposures, variety of soils and altitudes – ranging from 280 at 418 meters above sea level. The soils are schistose in the upper range, mixed-clayey in the lower one, rich in yellow sands and sandstones in the central belt. The altitude and southern exposure of the estate’s vineyards support a slow and complete ripening of the grapes producing wines of impressive structure and elegance. Cool, breezy nights help preserve the aromatic profile of Sangiovese and Merlot.
The grapes are harvested parcel by parcel to ensure the perfect ripeness is achieved. The selection of the grapes is followed by the fermentation process with indigenous yeasts and the soft pressing. Special cement, tulip-shaped, vats are used for the fermentation. The wine is then aged in French oak barriques for 2 years, 80% of which are new and 20% one year old.
The 2021 vintage was ushered in by a mild, dry winter, except for a brief snowfall in early February. March brought above-average temperatures, which encouraged a slightly early budbreak at the end of the month in early April for Sangiovese, and in the first week of April for Merlot. Mild conditions were abruptly reversed on April 8-9, when a significant drop in temperatures brought a freeze throughout Tuscany. The siting of our vineyards spared them heavy damage, since the early-ripening varieties, those most susceptible to frost damage, lie at higher elevations, where the risk of freeze damage is less. The precipitate temperature change, though, did slow vine growth until late May. With the rise in temperatures beginning in June, the vines started to develop again in accord with the seasonal norm, with flowering occurring between the 2nd and 3rd weeks of the month. A hot, dry summer then set in, through mid-August, when two providential rains arrived, bringing 45mm on 20 August and 20mm on 24 August. This lowered temperatures and restored soil water levels to optimal levels, right at a crucial period coinciding with the start of the actual cluster ripening period. September was textbook perfect, with sun-filled days and significant day-night differentials as much as 15°C, which favoured high concentrations of aromatic precursors and polyphenols in the grapes.
Luce 2021 displays a remarkably intense ruby red colour. On the nose, dark fruit notes stand out, primarily wild blackberry and mulberry, lifted by delicate nuances of sweet violets and other blossoms, and smooth impressions of mixed spices. The palate swiftly reveals the wine’s innate character and elegance. Its notably broad volume is enlarged even further by impressive, silk-smooth tannins, crafting a very balanced mid-palate crowned by a near-endless, spice-infused finish
50% Merlot
50% Sangiovese
cork
15%
