Luce

Vinification

The Merlot and Sangiovese grapes are harvested and fermented separately, after careful sorting by hand. The grapes undergo 22 days of skin maceration, contributing tannins and aromas to the must. Fermentation lasts 12 days in cement tanks at a controlled temperature of 28 °C. The wines are blended immediately after fermentation and maceration.

Ageing

The wine matures in oak barrels for 24 months. New barrels account for 80% of those used and contribute pronounced vanilla and spice notes.

Tasting profile

Complex and concentrated yet lively, the wine is balanced throughout. Fresh flowers frame the fruit on the nose, with cinnamon recalling its maturation in oak. Cherry and plum lead the palate, supported by elegant acidity. Sangiovese contributes refinement, while Merlot brings softness and roundness.

Vintage notes

The 2022 season began with a harsh, dry winter. Spring brought little rainfall and a rapid rise in daytime temperatures, helping both varieties flower successfully from late May to early June. The hot, dry summer allowed the vines to regulate their growth naturally and enter the ripening stage in early August in excellent vegetative condition.

Two very heavy rainfalls, on 28 July and 15 August, marked the beginning of ripening. Harvest started on 28 August, with the small bunches in excellent condition. Picking took place slightly early to preserve freshness and aromatic potential. Conditions were ideal in September, with temperatures falling from the middle of the month and creating a favourable difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures for the final ripening of the Sangiovese grapes.

Label / history

The 2022 vintage marked 30 years of production. Luce was the first Montalcino wine to unite Sangiovese and Merlot in one blend; before Luce della Vite, the two varieties had not been combined there in this way.