2019 Luce

Packaged in a heavy but beautifully designed bottle, the Tenuta Luce 2019 Luce della Vite is a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. This is an icon Italian wine in its own right, and it proves exceptionally versatile and likable year in and year out. My biggest concern with this vintage is the powerful 15% alcohol that adds even more power to an already brawny Tuscan blend. The bouquet is saddled with dark fruit, cooked cherry and lots of savory oak spice and tobacco from barrique aging.

Sophisticated aromas of lead pencil, graphite and blackcurrant. Hints of black olives and herbs, too. Full-bodied, yet tight and deep, with super precision and intensity to the tannins. Incredible balance of structure and finesse to this. Give it time in the cellar.

The Tenuta Luce 2019 Brunello di Montalcino carries a good amount of oak spice with campfire ash, forest floor, dried cherry, cassis, rye bread and something floral like a hydrangea or pressed rose. There is a balsamic note as well with Sambuca or aniseed. This is a medium- to full-bodied Brunello (with 35,000 bottles made) that shows dried fruit flavors and a substantial 15% alcohol pull on the lengthy finish.