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Tenuta Luce

Lucente 2016

Toscana IGT

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Lucente is the second wine of Luce, a wine with contemporary style, immediate and great pleasure, and like its elder sibling, an authentic interpretation of Montalcino and the Luce estate.

After the first strict selection of the very best grapes for Luce, the next selection is used for Lucente and is often coming from the younger vineyards planted in the Luce estate. Lucente represents a more approachable expression of the estate’s unique terroir.

Vineyard

The Luce estate covers 615 acres, 217 of which are planted with Sangiovese and Merlot. The estate is in the southwest of Montalcino, at one of the highest elevation points, and south/southwest facing; the freshness and structure that result play in tension with the deep, perfectly ripe fruit. Higher elevation planting have sandstone and limestone, and are ideal for Sangiovese. Clay in the lower altitude vineyards is perfect for the powerful expression of Merlot.

Winemaking

The two varietals that go into creating Lucente are harvested at slightly different times: the Merlot is picked during the first week of September, while the Sangiovese is harvested the third week of September. The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for 12 days and does an additional 22 days of skin maceration. The wins is aged in part new, part re-used wooden barriques for 12 months before bottling.

Vintage

In 2016, spring was characterised by numerous rain showers and a mild climate that encouraged an earlier start to the budding phase for Merlot and Sangiovese grapes, which took place between the end of March and beginning of April. Although summer was quite dry in general, Montalcino experienced three significant rain events with precipitation over 15mm in August – one at the beginning, one in the middle, and one at the end of the month. Temperatures during this period were not excessively high, limiting stress related to lack of water and supporting a gradual and complete maturation of the grapes.

In the mouth the wine is juicy, soft and enveloping with fine and intense tannins and an incredibly long finish.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Merlot, Sangiovese

Appellation

Toscana IGT

Alcohol

14%

Suggested Retail Price

$30.00

Reviews

92

"Ripeness and intensity"

James Suckling - September 21, 2018 "Ripeness and intensity here with dark berries, dark chocolate, walnuts and sage on the nose, following through to a full body, round and chewy tannins and a ripe-fruit finish.”

90

Wine Spectator - February 7, 2019 “Light-bodied and elegant yet intense, displaying cherry, black currant, violet, graphite and spice aromas and flavors. Firm and fresh on the long finish.”

90

Wine Enthusiast - April 9, 2019

"This blend of Merlot and Sangiovese opens with aromas of dark-skinned berry, violet, mocha and Mediterranean brush. The savory palate offers juicy Marasca cherry, star anise and a hint of espresso alongside velvety polished tannins."

91

"Attractive and accessible"

Wine Advocate - July 19, 2019

"The 2016 Lucente is a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot and represents the estate's second wine. This is an attractive and accessible mid-weight wine to pair with grilled meats or aged cheese. The primary fruit is bright and vibrant with layers of fresh cherry, plum and blackberry. Those fruit tones are tied together by lighter tones of spice and leather."

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