Celebrating 30 Vintages of Luce

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Feb 26, 2025, 11:30 ET

A Testament to Passion and Tradition in the Heart of Tuscany

MONTALCINO, Italy, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tenuta Luce unveils Luce 2022, a vintage that marks a significant historical milestone: the 30th anniversary of its inaugural production in 1993. From the very beginning, Luce has embodied a seamless blend of tradition and innovation, evolving with each harvest into a global icon.

"Luce represents far more to me than just a bottle of wine," says Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of Marchesi Frescobaldi, and continues "It is an experience and a deeply personal journey. Luce has offered a unique opportunity to explore new approaches and techniques - whether in the vineyard, the winery, or during the ageing process - continually enriching my skills and passion. On both a personal and professional level, it holds profound significance as, through Luce, I've had the privilege of discovering the world, meeting people united by a shared passion for wine, and exchanging stories and cultures."

To celebrate Luce's 30th anniversary, Tenuta Luce has partnered with Christie's Auction House to present exclusive lots for auction worldwide, showcasing the evolution of each vintage. As part of this initiative, Tim Triptree, Master of Wine & International Director, Wine & Spirits at Christie's, joined Lamberto Frescobaldi and winemaker Alessandro Marini to taste all 30 vintages. Together, they developed The Anthology, a unique compilation that traces Luce's journey from its origins to today, featuring tasting notes for every vintage from 1993 to 2022.

"In September 2024 I was thrilled to be invited to participate in a 30-year vertical tasting of Luce, the flagship wine of Tenuta Luce in Montalcino, Tuscany," states Tim Triptree, Master of Wine & International Director, Wine & Spirits at Christie's New York., Tim continues "The 30-flight wine tasting included the estate's inaugural 1993 vintage and the latest 2022 vintage. My honorable companion for the tasting was Lamberto Frescobaldi. The vertical tasting was a fascinating opportunity to study the evolution of the Estate's wines in terms of both winemaking styles and the additional complexity that results from bottle ageing. The tasting began with a sample of the 2022 vintage, a great start as this already impressive and harmonious wine indicates an extremely promising future. The tasting highlighted many fantastic vintages and demonstrated the high quality and freshness of all the Luce vintages, as well as their undoubted ability to evolve in the bottle."

At the core of Luce's winemaking philosophy lies the belief that wine should be the most natural expression of the place where it is produced, capturing both the terroir and the distinctive characteristics of its grape varieties. This harmony between grapes and land has been carefully preserved through minimal and non-invasive human intervention.

From its very first vintage, Luce was conceived as the perfect harmony between the elegance and structure of Sangiovese, Tuscany's native grape, and the roundness and richness of Merlot. This vision is reaffirmed with the thirtieth vintage, Luce 2022 - a wine whose structure and complexity make it ideal for long-term aging, promising t to evolve beautifully over time. It embodies everything Tenuta Luce has always strived to offer: a wine that tells a story of passion for the land and winemaking, a drive for innovation, and a deep respect for the territory.

LUCE 2022

The 2022 growing season began with a cold and dry winter; spring brought minimal rainfall and a rapid rise in daytime temperatures from May onward. These conditions led to an excellent flowering period for both grape varieties between late May and early June. The summer remained hot and dry, but the vines adapted well, reaching the veraison phase in early August in excellent vegetative condition. Two significant rainfalls on July 28 and August 15 (30mm each) provided much-needed relief to the vines and helped kickstart the ripening process.

Harvest began on August 28, yielding small, pristine grape clusters. The harvest was slightly anticipated in order to preserve freshness and retain the aromatic potential of the grapes. September brought ideal conditions, with cooler temperatures from mid-month onwards, ensuring optimal day-to-night temperature variations, which are crucial for the complete maturation of Sangiovese.

Luce 2022 presents a brilliant ruby red color. On the nose, it reveals fresh aromas of red fruit, such as currants and pomegranate, complemented by delicate floral notes. The palate is enveloping, leading to a fresh and vibrant sip, with smooth tannins that introduce a long, savory finish.

TENUTA LUCE

The vineyards of Luce rise among the rolling hills of Montalcino, immersed in unspoiled nature. To the east, the ancient walls of Montalcino, with its deep-rooted Etruscan heritage, stand tall. To the south, the ancient volcano Monte Amiata dominates the medieval landscape of the Val d'Orcia. The Mediterranean scrub, an ecosystem of oak and pine trees interspersed with juniper bushes, surrounds Tenuta Luce, offering natural protection for the vines. Cool breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea help maintain the perfect acidity in the grapes, even during the hottest summer days.

Lush forests, abundant sunlight, and healthy grapes are intrinsically linked to Luce's identity, just as envisioned by its founders. The rich tannins and juicy texture of Merlot are balanced by the vibrancy, finesse, and radiance of Sangiovese. Flavors of cherries, violets, orange zest, chocolate, and licorice burst forth with remarkable clarity from the warm sunlight, damp clay, and rocky schist soils. Luce's vineyards, situated at the highest points of the estate, face southeast and southwest, capturing the gentle afternoon sunlight while benefiting from the cool night air.

The brilliant light, fresh breezes, diverse soils, and varying altitudes make Tenuta Luce an exceptional site, where all these elements come together in perfect balance. This respect for harmony continues into the cellar, where every step is meticulously carried out to preserve the delicate balance achieved in the vineyard between Sangiovese and Merlot.

This philosophy and unique terroir are embodied in Luce, which celebrates its 30^th vintage with the release of Luce 2022 – a radiant wine of extraordinary balance and freshness, elegantly expressing its Mediterranean character.

INFO & CONTACT DETAILS

ANDREA ORSINI SCATAGLINI
PUBLIC RELATION & COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR TENUTA LUCE
T: +39 348 2425400 | E: [email protected]

SOURCE Tenuta Luce