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WINE REVIEW: Tenuta Luce 2020 Lucente, Toscana IGT, Italy ($30)


by Andrew Chalk


The problem with wine classifications that regulate beyond geographical boundaries is sclerosis. There is no better example than Tuscany, in northern Italy, where unbending regulators became so divorced from reality that producers just went around them to create the highest priced classification in the region. A classification defined not by a law, or regulation, but by the market.


Some creative writer (I know not who) anointed the wines with the catchy sobriquet ‘Super Tuscan’, and a new type was born. The acclaim, all merited, was a tribute to Italian enological innovation. Ultimately, it cured the sclerosis in the official system and rules were changed to make long-established categories like Chianti first class wines on the world stage once again.


A Super Tuscan

Want to try a Super Tuscan? This is the real thing. A seductive blend of Italy’s glorious sangiovese with merlot. The winemaker’s tasting notes are:


“Lucente 2020 shows a brilliant ruby red color. The nose is rich in black fruits such as blueberries and blackberries, accompanied by a light balsamic and pan brioché note. The palate is soft, supported by a nice freshness, with enveloping tannins and a long fruity aftertaste.”


I would add that the palate is complex and powerful. And this wine is so well structured that it will age for a decade or more.


More information on the vintage from the winery…

”Winter was mainly dry and mild leading to an early but homogeneous budding of the plants

starting from the second week of March for Sangiovese and from the third week for Merlot.

Spring was sunny, accompanied by some rains in May and June, favoring the course of an

excellent flowering, which took place slightly earlier in the last week of May. Summer was hot

and dry with good temperature ranges between day and night. In the last week of August, two

very precious rains brought relief to the plants and lowered temperatures, allowing the vines to

complete grape ripening. The harvest began on the third of September in ideal conditions, with

sunny days without heat peaks. These conditions resulted in grapes of excellent quality, with

excellent phenolic ripeness and great aromatic balance.”



TECHNICAL INFORMATION FROM THE WINERY

GRAPE VARIETIES

Merlot, Sangiovese


MACERATION ON THE SKINS: 20 days


TOTAL BOTTLES PRODUCED: 400,000


HARVEST PERIOD

Merlot: September 3

Sangiovese: September 18


SUGAR AT HARVEST: Merlot: 250 g/l, Sangiovese: 248 g/l

TOTAL ACIDITY AT HARVEST: Merlot: 6.70 g/l; Sangiovese 7.10 g/l

PH AT HARVEST: Merlot: 3.46; Sangiovese 3.30

FERMENTATION TANKS: Stainless steel thermo-conditioned

FERMENTATION TEMPERATURE: 28°C

FERMENTATION DURATION: 10 days


MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION: Done in steel

TYPE OF CONTAINER USED FOR AGING: Barrique partly new partly used

AGING: 12 Months

BOTTLING: July 2022


ALCOHOL: 14.00% Vol.

TOTAL ACIDITY: 5.94 g/l

PH: 3,53


Sample.


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