Tenuta Luce was born in the early 1990s south-west of Montalcino, from a partnership between the Frescobaldi family and Robert Mondavi, and is today run by the Frescobaldi. It was among the first estates in the area to challenge convention by combining Sangiovese and Merlot, creating a Super Tuscan in the land of Brunello. Lucente is the estate's second wine, alongside the great Luce.
The estate combines different soils, altitudes and exposures: sandstone and limestone in the higher parts, ideal for Sangiovese, and clay lower down, which gives power to the Merlot. According to the 2021 technical sheet, the blend is roughly three quarters Merlot and one quarter Sangiovese; the wine ferments in steel with a long skin maceration and matures for 12 months in oak barriques.
In the glass it is a generous, welcoming red, with ripe cherry, cassis, fresh olive and dark spice; the palate is medium to full-bodied, with fine, polished tannins, juicy fruit and a linear, lasting finish. With game, meat ragù, braised dishes and aged cheeses.
At a glance: Merlot, Sangiovese · 14% ABV · 0.75 l · Tenuta Luce, Montalcino