TENUTA LUCE
TUSCANY, ITALY 2020
Why Buy: The 2020 Brunellos are just now arriving on our shores, the first wave of what The Wine Independent dubbed a "captivating and succulent” vintage and what Decanter hailed as a class of "graciously structured, seductive, and immediately harmonious” wines. And the inspired Mondavi-Frescobaldi partnership at Tenuta Luce — fortified by a world-class winemaking facility that made its debut in 2017, along with a Bordeaux-trained winemaker — has produced one of the gems of the vintage in this aromatic and bold 97-pointer.
What They're Saying: James Suckling extolled the 97-point 2020 Brunello di Montalcino for its "beautifully perfumed aromas of violets, cedar and fresh raspberries,” and its "firm, chewy tannins that add tension and focus, as well as a crunchy undertone," and predicted that it will only continue to soften and deepen as it ages – a wine built for both immediate enjoyment and long-term cellaring.
Our Tasting Notes: The 2020 Brunello showcases everything we've come to love about Tenuta Luce – a wine of remarkable density and heft that somehow manages to remain elegant and precisely balanced. Its layers unfold gradually as it breathes, revealing new dimensions with each sip. As for the 2022 Toscana, our boots on the ground in Tuscany who have tasted barrel samples report a ripe, concentrated, and powerful vintage in the making, with impressive structure balanced by the estate's characteristic refinement and accessibility.
The Story: Just as Rothschild teamed with Mondavi to produce Opus One, so Mondavi – whose parents had left Le Marche to come to America – later did with Frescobaldi, joining forces with a family whose roots in Tuscany go back to the 1300s to create Tenuta Luce. Located high in the hills of Montalcino, the postcard-ready, sun-drenched vineyards produce wines not just of distinction and intensity, but also of deep, hedonistic pleasure. Since completing their state-of-the-art winemaking facilities in 2017, Tenuta Luce has entered a new era of precision and possibility. The modern vinification facilities and expanded cellars have allowed for more meticulous approaches to fermentation and aging, while the new winemaking team led by Stefano Ruini (who has brought with him two decades of experience from Bordeaux's Médoc region) has implemented subtle but significant refinements to the winemaking philosophy.
Fun Fact: The Frescobaldi family, long before its winemaking days, commissioned works from a who's who of Italian greats, including Donatello, Brunelleschi, and Piero della Francesca .
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source directly from the estate, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Order yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NE, NY, OK, or TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025.