Frescobaldi - Tenuta Luce della Vite : Lux Vitis 2022

Characteristics and tasting tips for Lux Vitis 2022 by Frescobaldi - Tenuta Luce della Vite

Tasting

Colour
An intense, deep and luminous ruby hue.

Nose
The nose reveals aromas of fully ripe black fruit, lifted by notes of sweet spices, liquorice and thyme.

Palate
On the palate, the wine charms with a fine balance between freshness and density, carried by a firm structure that gives it excellent ageing potential.

Lux Vitis 2022, a Tuscan wine born from the union of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese

The estate
Founded in December 1995 by the Tuscan Frescobaldi family in partnership with the Californian Mondavi family, Tenuta Luce della Vite spans 88 hectares of vines in the heart of Montalcino, in Tuscany, within the UNESCO-listed Val d'Orcia. Now run by Lamberto Frescobaldi under the aegis of Marchesi de' Frescobaldi, the estate has farmed its vines organically since 2015. Renowned for its pioneering combination of indigenous and international grape varieties, Tenuta Luce della Vite has established itself as a contemporary benchmark among Tuscan wineries.

The vineyard
Lux Vitis originates from a plot of Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 2004 on predominantly sandy soils in Montalcino, within the IGT Toscana area. Certified organic since 2015, the vineyard benefits from good natural ventilation and wide diurnal temperature variation, which fosters the aromatic freshness of the grapes. Yields are deliberately restricted to around 40 quintals per hectare to ensure optimal concentration.

The vintage
2022 began with a harsh, dry winter, followed by concentrated rainfall in March that allowed for even budburst from early spring. Hot, dry weather set in from May, without disrupting the early, regular flowering in June. Drought and heat persisted until mid-August, naturally limiting vine growth and bunch size, before a few showers in mid-August brought milder temperatures at the time of véraison. A sunny September with cool nights preserved the balance and freshness of the grapes right up to the harvest, which took place on 28 September.

Winemaking and ageing
Lux Vitis 2022 was fermented in cement vats at a controlled temperature of 28°C for twelve days, with extended skin maceration over twenty days to draw out the full aromatic and tannic potential of the fruit. Malolactic fermentation took place directly in barrels. The wine was then aged for twenty-four months in 100% new French oak barrels before being bottled in December 2024.

Grape varieties
Lux Vitis 2022 is made predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by a small proportion of Sangiovese, the emblematic grape variety of Montalcino.