Professional Ratings
Wine Spectator
“This is supple, with a salty cast to its cherry, blackberry and plum fruit. Earth and iron notes add detail as this remains fresh on the lingering finish. Offers fine balance and is ready to enjoy. Merlot and Sangiovese. Drink now through 2030. 33,333 cases made, 6,500 cases imported.”
Highlights
Luce Della Vite Lucente Toscana 2023
Lucente, the second wine of Luce, offers a more approachable and contemporary style while still reflecting the unique Montalcino terroir of the Luce estate. Made from a selection of Merlot and Sangiovese, it’s sourced from younger vineyards after the best grapes are reserved for Luce. With its deep ruby color, Lucente has an intense bouquet of red berry fruits, wild blackberry, and floral notes. On the palate, it is broad and generous, with beautifully integrated tannins and a development of tangy fruit, black licorice, and smooth spices.
Critical Acclaim
95 James Suckling
A juicy and delicious wine with aromas of black cherries, walnuts, flint, graphite and matchsticks. Medium-bodied with creamy and refined tannins and a pretty finish. Inky aftertaste with some iodine. 60% merlot and 40% sangivoese. Drink or hold.
93 Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from the youngest vines and based largely on Merlot with roughly a third Sangiovese, the 2023 Lucente pours a youthful dark red hue and offers notes of graphite, violets, and fresh sweet herbs on the nose. The palate is medium to full-bodied and immediate, with ripe tannins, good freshness, and a supple texture that carries through the finish. Aged one year in 20% new French oak barrels, it’s an appealing, approachable wine to enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036.
92 Decanter
Between Peronospora attacks in spring, the heatwave and drought in summer, not to mention hail, production was down 20% at Tenuta Luce in 2023. Nevertheless, there is still ample supply of this crowd-pleasing Merlot-led blend. Crafted from the estate’s younger vines, Lucente exalts a pure fruit expression. It bursts with blackcurrant and dark red cherry, while scents of mint, cedar and grilled tobacco lend intrigue. Smooth and suave, the palate pops with sweet, sun-warmed berries infused with chopped garden herbs and a whisper of vanilla, ending with a zesty peppery note. As engaging as it is affable.
Tasting Notes
pomegranate, blackberries, violets, elegant spices; enveloping, fresh, ripe tannins, savory and vibrant finish
- BrandLucente
- CountryItaly
- RegionTuscany
- TypeRed Wine
- Size750ml
- ABV 14%
- Grapes Sangiovese
- SKU 210000045873
Grapes & winemaking
- Grapes
- Merlot, Sangiovese
- Aging
- 12 months in new and used barriques