LUCE TOSCANA 3L 2020

Aromas of garden herbs and tobacco are subtle for the time being. Dark fleshy cherry suffuses the palate, and its creamy texture and vanilla finale are countered by tangy acidity. It's already approachable overall, although the tannins could do with a bit more time to integrate. Lamberto Frescobaldi describes the 2020 vintage as straightforward and balanced without significant heat spikes. And indeed, Luce captures the suave, almost carefree character of the vintage.

A delicate whiff of dusty dried violets gives way to cedary spice and crushed plums as the 2020 Luce slowly opens in the glass. This is soothingly round and supple with cooling acidity and a tinge of minerality up front. Tart red berry fruits swirl across a stream of zesty acidity. The 2020 displays fantastic depth and concentration, tapering off long and gently tannic as black raspberries pucker the cheeks. This is a very approachable vintage of Luce, yet the balance is spot on. Nicely done.

A blend of equal parts of Sangiovese and Merlot (in a heavy glass bottle), the Tenuta Luce 2020 Luce della Vite is sweet, chewy and oak-driven with a very toasted quality that includes cinnamon, fennel seed, roasted eggplant and dried pomegranate. There is a sweet note as well with exotic rose apple. The wine offers lots of volume and fruit fiber in this hot vintage and it makes a big impact on the palate. Likewise, the tannins hit hard. This is an in-your-face wine with a release of 100,000 bottles.