Frescobaldi - Tenuta Luce della Vite : Luce 2020

Fruity and expressive, featuring flavors of macerated cherry, plum, sweet spices, menthol and earth. Dense, aggressive tannins take over, yet the fruit lurks underneath and returns on the succulent finish. Best from 2027 through 2043. 4,167 cases made, 250 cases imported.

Sprawling out over the gentle hills of Montalcino’s southwestern quadrant, the aptly named Luce estate is bathed in Tuscany’s golden sunlight. The 2020 release captures every joyful ray. Vanilla and sweet wood spice infuse red cherry compote, with fragrant Mediterranean forest imparting evocative nuance. The palate is packed to the brim with generous plum and equally matched by concentrated, mouthwatering acidity. Ripe, mature tannins girdle this weighty Brunello snuggly, and tangy tangerine freshens the finish. Since 2016, ageing has been exclusively in lightly toasted Slavonian oak casks, ranging in size from 26 to 52 hectolitres.

Beautifully perfumed aromas of violets, cedar and fresh raspberries with some strawberries, too. Full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins that add tension and focus, as well as a crunchy undertone. Needs three or four years to soften. Best after 2028.

The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Luce features an inviting bouquet that mixes white smoke and stone dust with dried black cherries, cedar shavings and hints of worn leather. Juicy and fresh, it flows across the palate with vividly pure red and blue fruits further enhanced by a core of brisk acidity. It leaves notes of savory herbs, sour citrus and edgy tannins that pinch with youthful tension.

Dark red/magenta in color, the 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino is sappy and perfumed with decadent aromas of blackberry compote, sweet cedar, polished leather, and crushed lavender. It is full-bodied but has a nice snap of tension through the mid-palate and finish, with mouthwatering acidity and a good deal of length. Robust upfront, with velvety tannins and a salty finish, it will benefit from another year in bottle and drink well over the following 10-12 years.

Good typicity, skillful construction, perhaps more muscular than the other Brunellos in the lineup, imbued with Luce’s house style, but this is a lovely wine, food-friendly with a ton of depth. Can drink now but can age. Alessandro Marini, director and winemaker.