Tenuta Luce Della Vite Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016

50% Sangiovese and 50% Merlot

24 months in hand-split oak barriques (85% new)

Tenuta Luce (formerly known as Luce della Vite) is a wine estate based in the Montalcino region of southern central Tuscany. Despite its position within the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG zone, the estate is best known for for its Luce wine – a combination of Sangiovese and Merlot – that, on its debut in 1993, became one of the very first Super Tuscans from the region.

The estate is located southwest of Montalcino town and has 77 hectares (190 acres) of estate vineyards in total. The Sangiovese is located in higher, well-drained soils, while the Merlot is planted in more clay-based, sandier soils.

Parcels of the two varieties are vinified separately then blended before aging. Lucento, the second wine of Luce, sourced from the same vineyards.

A ripe but suggestive nose of dark cherries, dark chocolate, hot stones, cassis, brambleberry pie and bark. Powerful acidity steers it through to a restrained but chewy finish.

James Suckling 96
Wine Spectator 94
Wine Enthusiast 93