Tenuta Luce’s Lucente 2020 is a striking red wine from the heart of Tuscany, showcasing the estate’s signature blend. Crafted predominantly from Merlot and Sangiovese, this cuvée expresses both varietals’ best characteristics: the plush, supple fruit and approachable texture of Merlot balanced by Sangiovese’s bright acidity and savoury depth. 2020 was a generally warm and generous vintage in Tuscany, ensuring ripe, expressive fruit and aromatic purity. Vinification at Tenuta Luce combines modern precision with careful tradition: hand-harvested grapes, gentle extraction, and maturation mostly in oak to enhance structure without overpowering the fruit.
Tuscany, renowned for its scenic vineyards and illustrious winemaking heritage, provides an ideal terroir for such blends. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate, marked by sunny days, cool nights, and gentle coastal breezes that favour slow, even ripening. Soils here are varied but often rich in clay, limestone, and marl, lending depth and complexity to the wines. Tuscany’s winemaking history stretches back millennia, and estates like Tenuta Luce honour this legacy while embracing innovation and international grape varieties.
Lucente’s generous palate of ripe blackberry, plum, and dark cherry is supported by notes of sweet spice, tobacco, and a subtle savoury edge. Its medium to full body and rounded tannins make it an excellent companion for a range of dishes. Classic Tuscan pairings are hard to beat: try it with bistecca alla fiorentina, wild boar ragù with pappardelle, or aged Pecorino cheese. It also complements roast lamb, chargrilled vegetables, and mushroom risotto beautifully.
For the best experience, serve this wine at around 16-18°C. Decanting for half an hour will help open up its aromatic complexity and tannic structure. Lucente 2020 can be enjoyed now for its youthful vitality, but it has the balance to evolve over the next several years.
