2017 Luce della Vite Luce Toscana, Tuscany

Dark-berry, walnut, cedar and violet aromas with just a hint of chocolate. Full-bodied, layered and rich with ripe tannins and a vivid finish. Shows energy and a velvety texture. Deep and long. Give it two or three years to soften. Try after 2022.

97 points jamessuckling.com Jun 2020

The Luce della Vite Luce Toscana is a modern Tuscan icon, born from a unique collaboration between two legendary winemaking families: the Frescobaldis of Tuscany and the Mondavis of Napa Valley. Conceived in the early 1990s, the idea was bold — to create a wine that blended the noble Tuscan Sangiovese with the opulence of international Merlot. Today, under Lamberto Frescobaldi’s leadership, Luce stands as one of Montalcino’s most distinctive wines, a benchmark for the so-called “Super Tuscans.”

The vineyards lie just southwest of Montalcino, on clay, sand and limestone soils with excellent sun exposure. Here, the Sangiovese contributes vibrancy, structure and aromatic lift, while the Merlot adds plushness, richness and supple tannins.

In the glass, Luce is deep garnet with ruby hues. The bouquet is intense and seductive, offering black cherry, ripe plum and blackberry interwoven with violet, sweet spice, cocoa, tobacco leaf and a balsamic note. On the palate, it is full-bodied and velvety, with layers of dark fruit, mocha and liquorice supported by fine tannins and lively acidity. The finish is long and complex, balancing power with elegance.

Food pairings suit its depth and richness: bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised beef cheeks, duck with a cherry glaze, or truffle-infused pasta. It is equally at home alongside aged cheeses such as pecorino Toscano. With 15 to 20 years of cellaring potential, Luce evolves into a more savoury, earthy and complex wine, showing leather, cedar and dried flowers alongside its fruit.

Critics often praise Luce for being both forward and age-worthy, a wine that captures the best of Tuscany’s terroir and international polish. It frequently receives scores in the 94–97 range from leading wine reviewers, cementing its place as one of Montalcino’s most collectible modern reds.