{"product_id":"luce-della-vite-lucente-igt-2023-tuscany-italy-vm-91","title":"Tenuta Luce \"Lucente\" IGT 2023 (Tuscany, Italy) - [JS 95] [JD 93] [DM 92] [WA 91] [VM 91]","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout this Winery:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eIn 1995, Vittorio Frescobaldi of Italy's venerable Marchesi de' Frescobaldi joined forces with Napa Valley icon Robert Mondavi to produce a Tuscan red called Luce della Vite. The grapes came from vineyards in Montalcino, adjacent to the Frescobaldis' Castelgiocondo estate. Luce was the first wine from Montalcino made by blending Sangiovese and Merlot grapes, matching the roundness and softness of Merlot with the elegance and structure of Sangiovese.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucente 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout this Wine:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMade 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of weather, the winter of 2023 was relatively mild and dry, but marked by a beautiful snowfall at the end of January. Subsequently, the spring proved particularly variable, with high rainfall concentrated in the months of May and June. As a result, the vineyard required a high level of attention due to the rapid development of the plants. The summer, on the other hand, was hot, with temperature peaks in July and August, interrupted by frequent thunderstorms that mitigated potential water stress in the vineyards, allowing for a slow yet gradual ripening of the grapes. The harvest began on 1 September with the Merlot grapes, followed by the Sangiovese in the second week of September. The harvest conditions were ideal, with sunny days and cool nights that allowed the grapes to maintain a beautiful aromatic freshness and excellent polyphenolic ripening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith an intense ruby-red colour, Lucente 2023 opens with aromas of ripe blackberries and redcurrants, paired with delicate toasted notes. In the mouth, it is juicy, lively and elegant, with ripe and well-defined tannins that make it particularly pleasing and persistent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRatings \u0026amp; Reviews\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - James Suckling:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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.\" (Jun 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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.\" - Audrey Frick (Feb 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Decanter Magazine:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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.\" - Michaela Morris (Feb 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e91 Points - Wine Advocate:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The Tenuta Luce 2023 Lucente, a blend of Merlot and Sangiovese, offers a cheerful and immediately accessible expression with soft plum, blackcurrant and gentle sweet spice woven throughout. Medium- to full-bodied in weight, the wine shows supple tannins and a velvety mouthfeel, shaped by a warm vintage yet supported by enough freshness to keep it lively and food-friendly. Designed as the estate’s most approachable bottling, Lucente finishes on a short but refreshing note.\" - Monica Larner (Jan 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e91 Points - Vinous Media:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The 2023 Lucente wafts up with a seductive bouquet of crushed blueberries, cherries, complementary minty herbs and autumnal spice. This presents soft textures, vibrant acidity, sleek red berry fruits and a subtle citrus tinge toward the close. It’s gently tannic and long with lavender and licorice on the finish. (Drink between 2026-2029)\" - Eric Guido (Mar 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BREAKTHRU","offers":[{"title":"750 ml","offer_id":53364358250861,"sku":null,"price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0481\/8940\/7391\/files\/td6m9gaxw69txjmqyuf4.jpg?v=1779575321","url":"https:\/\/artisan.wine\/products\/luce-della-vite-lucente-igt-2023-tuscany-italy-vm-91","provider":"Artisan W\u0026S","version":"1.0","type":"link"}