Celebrating 30 Years of Luce: A Journey Through Time and Taste

Tenuta Luce proudly unveils its Luce 2022 vintage, commemorating a significant moment in viticulture history: the 30th anniversary of its first production in 1993. This event not only celebrates three decades of winemaking excellence but also highlights the harmonious blend of tradition and innovation that Luce has epitomized since its inception.

Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of Marchesi Frescobaldi and custodian of the Luce lineage, shares his deep connection to Luce. He articulates, "Luce represents more than just a bottle of wine; it encapsulates an experience and a personal odyssey. It has incited me to explore new methods in the vineyard, winery, and aging process, enhancing my expertise and fervor. Through Luce, I have forged friendships and exchanged stories with individuals who are equally passionate about wine and culture."

In honor of this momentous anniversary, Tenuta Luce has joined forces with Christie's Auction House, introducing exclusive lots for a global auction, showcasing each vintage's unique evolution. Tim Triptree, Master of Wine and International Director of Wine & Spirits at Christie's, along with Frescobaldi and winemaker Alessandro Marini, conducted an extensive tasting event featuring all 30 vintages. This culminated in the creation of "The Anthology," a compilation that narrates Luce's journey from its foundations to the present day, complete with tasting notes from each vintage.

Reflecting on the tasting, Triptree expressed, "I was thrilled to participate in a 30-year vertical tasting of Luce, encompassing its inaugural vintage from 1993 and the latest, the 2022 version. Being alongside Lamberto Frescobaldi, I found the tasting to be a remarkable opportunity to observe the estate's wine evolution, illustrating the intricacies added through bottle aging." He praised the 2022 vintage as one that shows immense promise for the future.

Luce's winemaking philosophy emphasizes that wine should genuinely reflect its geographical roots, encapsulating the unique terroir of Tuscany and the individual characteristics of its grape varieties. This guiding principle has ensured minimal human interference, allowing the grapes to flourish in their natural environment.

The inception of Luce was a vision of perfecting the balance between the elegant structure of Sangiovese and the rich fullness of Merlot. With the milestone vintage of Luce 2022, this vision is fully realized. This year’s wine, with its considerable structure and complexity, is poised for robust aging, promising to evolve beautifully with time. It is a testament to Tenuta Luce’s commitment to delivering a wine steeped in passion for the land, a thirst for innovation, and reverence for its surroundings.

The Offering – Luce 2022

The growing season for 2022 commenced with a dry and chilly winter, transitioning into minimal rainfall and elevated temperatures commencing from May. These climate conditions paved the way for an extraordinary flowering period for the grape varieties, occurring from late May to early June. As summer progressed, the weather remained warm and arid; however, the vines remained healthy, reaching veraison by early August. Significant rainfall on July 28 and August 15 replenished the vines, initiating the crucial ripening period.

Harvest kicked off on August 28, with the collection of small, pristine grape clusters conducted slightly earlier than usual to maintain freshness and preserve the aromatic essence of the grapes. The month of September brought idyllic conditions that emphasized temperature variations crucial for the optimal maturation of Sangiovese.

Upon appearance, Luce 2022 showcases a stunning ruby red hue, and on the nose, it exudes inviting aromas of fresh red fruits such as currants and pomegranate, further enhanced by subtle floral undertones. On the palate, it offers a vibrant and fresh experience, with silky tannins leading to a prolonged, savory conclusion.

The Essence of Tenuta Luce

Nestled among the picturesque hills of Montalcino, the vineyards of Luce thrive in an untouched natural oasis. To the east lies the ancient walls of Montalcino, replete with Etruscan history, while to the south, the majestic Monte Amiata presides over this historical landscape. Surrounding Tenuta Luce is a diverse Mediterranean scrub, encompassing oak and pine trees intermingled with juniper bushes, which provides natural protection for the vines. The cooling winds from the Tyrrhenian Sea help sustain the optimal grape acidity, even on the hottest days.

This synergy between lush forests, abundant sunlight, and healthy grapes embodies Luce's ethos, as conceived by its founders. The rich texture and tannins of Merlot find their equilibrium with the brightness and finesse of Sangiovese, producing a mosaic of flavors including cherries, violets, orange zest, chocolate, and licorice, all representative of the estate’s unique terroir.

The vineyards, situated at elevated sites, capture beneficial afternoon sun while enjoying the cooling embrace of nighttime breezes. This confluence of brilliance, fresh winds, variable soils, and altitudes makes Tenuta Luce an extraordinary wine-producing locale. This philosophy of respect for balance extends into the cellar, where meticulous care is taken to maintain the equilibrium reached in the vineyards between Sangiovese and Merlot.

As Tenuta Luce rejoices in its 30th vintage, Luce 2022 stands as a radiant testament to the extraordinary balance and freshness that continuously express its Mediterranean character, capturing a legacy steeped in passion and terroir.