Wines Tuscany Tenuta Luce - La Vite Lucente - 2019

Viniou Reviews

La Vite Lucente 2019 from Tenuta Luce is a distinguished Tuscan red blend produced under the Toscana IGT designation, signalling flexibility in grape selection and winemaking technique that allows innovation beyond traditional DOC and DOCG constraints. This cuvée typically combines Sangiovese, Tuscany’s signature varietal offering freshness and vibrant acidity, with Merlot, which adds suppleness and ripe fruit character. The 2019 vintage benefited from a balanced growing season in Tuscany, with warm days tempered by cooler nights, leading to gradual ripening and vivid flavour development. The vinification for Lucente is modern yet respectful of tradition, with careful grape selection, temperature-controlled fermentation, and partial ageing in French oak, lending structure and a subtle toastiness without overpowering the fruit.

Tuscany is revered for its rolling hills, cypress tree-lined avenues, and diverse soils comprising clay, limestone, and galestro schist. This terroir, combined with the Mediterranean climate—marked by sunny, hot summers and cooling maritime breezes—creates ideal ripening conditions, particularly for Sangiovese and international varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tuscany’s wine history spans centuries, with a reputation built on elegance and balance as much as intensity and complexity, a heritage perfectly embodied by Tenuta Luce’s contemporary approach.

La Vite Lucente’s style is fruity yet structured, pairing especially well with classic Tuscan cuisine. Consider it with grilled bistecca alla fiorentina, roast lamb with rosemary, hearty wild boar ragù over pappardelle, or simply aged pecorino cheese. The wine’s supple tannins and bright acidity also complement Mediterranean roasted vegetables and mushroom risotto, bringing harmony to both rich meats and vegetarian fare.

For serving, decanting for an hour can help open up its nuanced bouquet and soften youthful tannins. The ideal drinking temperature is between 16-18°C, accentuating both aromatics and mouthfeel. As a youthful yet expressive Tuscan red, it offers immediate pleasure but will continue to develop over several years in your cellar.