Luce Della Vite “Luce” Toscana Rosso 2010
98 Points, Suckling
1x150cl – £105 IB
£128.50 incl duty and VAT
1x300cl – £210 IB
£256.99 incl duty and VAT
‘The greatest Luce ever.’ – James Suckling
Luce della Vite is a remarkable wine, the progeny of two of the leading wine families in the world: The Marchesi de Frescobaldi family of Florence and the Mondavi family of Napa Valley. Luce was born out of a unique idea, the first wine ever to be made in Montalcino that blends Sangiovese and Merlot grapes; Merlot was only introduced to Montalcino in 1976. The project began with its first vintage in 1994 and now includes two other wines, a Brunello di Montalcino called Luce Brunello and a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend called Luce Lucente, these two have achieved incredible acclaim in their own right.
Today it is the son of Vittorio Frescobaldi and the son of Robert Mondavi who made their fathers’ vision a reality. In 2010 the culmination of their winemaking excellence and the utterly superb vintage conditions have resulted in something magical, a wine that has been awarded 98 points from James Suckling. We retasted it last week and the wine is special, combining ultra-ripe fruit, with high notes of menthol, eucalyptus and violets. The palette is meaty; bresaola like smoked and cured meat, along with porcini mushrooms. It also displays tobacco, vanilla and delightful sweet spices, such a cinnamon and nutmeg, all combined in a harmonious and balanced wine capable of ageing for decades. Luce 2010 has fulfilled its original ambition, the Merlot perfectly suited to the village of Brunello and delightful in combination with the beautifully ripe Sangiovese.
The 192-hectare Estate is located southwest of Montalcino, and is one of the highest estates in the region with elevations ranging from 350 to 420 metres. The Sangiovese thrives on the higher grounds whereby the galestro rich and well drained soils provide the ideal growing conditions. At the lower altitudes, the soils are richer in clay, perfect for the Merlot. As a result of the south facing exposure and characteristically long, sunny and dry summer seasons of the region, the grapes experience a slow and thorough ripening period allowing for greater concentration and power. Yields are kept very low in order to enhance the character of the varieties and to capture the essence of the terroir. Each of the grapes are harvested separately and undergo alcoholic fermentation and extensive maceration together in November.
Today we are pleased to be able to offer extremely rare single magnums and double magnums, each in their own wooden casing, direct from the Estate. The bottle design is as striking as the wine, based on a sacred image displayed on the main alter of the Santo Spirito church in Florence. A radiant sun with twelve flames now graces Luce’s bottle, making Luce instantly recognisable even before it is opened, once it is opened, it is hard to forget.
98 Points, James Suckling
This is clearly the greatest Luce ever. A wine with currants, blueberries and hints of flowers and spices. A full-bodied red with with lots of chocolate, berry and vanilla character. Chewy. Juicy. Better in 2015 after it has softened and come together. Fabulous.
To buy this wine please click here or telephone +44 (0)203 195 8055. Offer subject to availability.