Introduction

Luce 2020, often known as Luce della Vite, is the iconic flagship red wine from Tenuta Luce, located in Montalcino, Tuscany. Founded in the 1990s as a historic collaboration between the Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi families, it was the first wine in Montalcino to blend the structure of Sangiovese with the roundness of Merlot. The 2020 vintage is described as a balanced and straightforward expression of the estate's high-altitude terroir, successfully navigating a hot, dry summer with late-August rains that ensured perfect ripening.

Wine Description

The 2020 vintage is an intense ruby red wine characterized by its international polish and deep concentration.

• Varietal Composition: An equal blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Sangiovese.

• Aromatic Profile: The nose is complex and elegant, featuring ripe black fruits like blackberry and mulberry, joined by secondary notes of cocoa, tobacco, sweet spices (cardamom), and floral hints of violet.

• Palate and Body: It is a full-bodied wine with a harmonious and lively mouthfeel. The palate is dense and powerful, dominated by black cherry and cassis, with highlights of iron and vanilla.

• Structure: The wine possesses a serious structure with vibrant acidity and soft, silky tannins that provide a long, persistent, and spice-infused finish.

• Aging: The wine was aged for 24 months in French oak barriques (80% new and 20% one-year-old).

• Alcohol Content: 14.5%.

• Optimal Drinking Window: While approachable with aeration, it is built for long-term aging through 2040–2044.