94 & 99 Pt. (JS) Luce Tuscan Treasures!

SUPER TUSCANS OF MONTALCINO

"We have received more of the 2019 Super Tuscan hits from Tenuta Luce, located in the Montalcino region of central Italy: the affordable 94 point 2019 Lucente ($21.99) and the epic 99 point 2019 Luce ($99.99). Whether you are looking for that perfect Tuesday night rosso, an off-the-hook Super Tuscan for that special dinner or for the cellar, or wines for holiday parties or for gifting, Tenuta Luce has produced some of their finest wines ever! The 2019 Lucente received its highest score to date and Luce received its second highest score, following their iconic 2006 vintage. And you know what outstanding press means... these wines won't sit on our shelves for long! Order these gems now, drink well and stay healthy." – Lance Montalto, The Wine House

Check out our CLOSEOUT wines on our website! Quantities are limited to current stock and new closeout wines are added regularly!

NOTE: Our store is open between 11AM and 6PM. When placing your order, you can select in-store pickup, curbside pickup, or various delivery options, depending on the recipient's address.

Our Wine House Kitchen restaurant, described by Eater LA as a ‘Stunning West LA Newcomer,’ is open for dinner, Wednesday through Saturday!
Check out the menu or reserve your table!

Relax and enjoy a chef-made Thanksgiving dinner! Order your Thanksgiving-to-go turkey dinner from Wine House Kitchen restaurant for pick up on Wednesday. Today, Friday, November 18 is the last day to place your order!

94 Points: "Lots of blue fruit, graphite and stone aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with tight and linear tannins and a fresh, vivid finish. Punchy, yet fine, suggesting two to four years of bottle will soften the wine." – James Suckling (July 2022)

FROM THE WINERY

LUCENTE 2019
A cold and sunny winter was followed by a spring characterized by low average temperatures and heavy precipitation, which contributed to the creation of important water reserves in the soil. The reduced sunlight coupled with the heavy rainfall resulted in a slight delay in the vegetative cycle of the grapevine. Flowering took place between the end of May and early June, after which the growing season continued regularly with a hot summer free of excessive temperatures and some rainfall occurring between late July and early August. The mild temperatures in September and the good water reserves supported a slow and regular ripening of the grapes.

TASTING NOTES
Lucente 2019 is an intense purplish red wine. The nose is characterized by notes of ripe red fruit, raspberries and sour cherries, combined with a touch of vanilla and a slight balsamic hint. On the palate, the wine is soft, balanced and well-supported by a pleasant crispness and smooth tannins, characteristics that together with its sweet aftertaste give the wine a persistent finish.

GRAPE VARIETIES: Merlot, Sangiovese
TYPE OF CONTAINER USED FOR AGING: Part new, part re-used wooden barriques
LENGTH OF AGEING: 12 months
ALCOHOL: 14.5% Vol

99 Points: "Sophisticated aromas of lead pencil, graphite and blackcurrant. Hints of black olives and herbs, too. Full-bodied, yet tight and deep, with super precision and intensity to the tannins. Incredible balance of structure and finesse to this. Give it time in the cellar. Better after 2027." – James Suckling (July 2022)

FROM THE WINERY

LUCE 2019
2019: a balanced and late vintage. A cold and sunny winter was followed by a spring characterized by low average temperatures and heavy rainfall, which contributed to the creation of important water reserves in the soil. The reduced sunlight coupled with the heavy rainfall resulted in a slight delay of about ten days in the vegetative cycle of the grapevines. The flowering phase took place in early June, after which the growing season continued regularly with a hot summer free of excessive temperatures and some rainfall occurring between late July and early August, which supported a vigorous and efficient growth of the leaves. The mild temperatures in September and the good water reserves supported a slow and regular ripening of the grapes, which resulted in perfectly ripe, highly intense tannins rich in aromatic freshness. The harvest began with a sunny climate on September 12 with the first Merlot grapes, continued with Sangiovese in late September and early October. The wines are structured showing balance, vigor and great aging potential.

TASTING NOTES
Luce 2019 has an intense ruby red color. The nose is striking with its floral hints of violet and rose accompanied by red fruits such as raspberries and sweet spices. In the mouth, the wine is balanced and elegant with an almost creamy texture supported by silky and well-integrated tannins. Spicy notes accompany the persistent finish.

GRAPE VARIETES: Merlot, Sangiovese
TYPE OF CONTAINER USED FOR AGING: Barriques: 80% new, 20% one year old
AGING: 24 Months
ALCOHOL: 14.40% Vol

ABOUT TENUTA LUCE

Luce is an iconic estate located in the hills of southwest Montalcino—originally identified as a perfect site by the Marchese Vittorio Frescobaldi in the 1960s and later launched as partnership between the Marchese and California wine legend Robert Mondavi. Luce was the first winery in Montalcino to produce a wine blended from Merlot and Sangiovese, resulting in Luce, a decadent, luxurious expression of the two varieties. The estate also produces a second wine called Lucente, as well as an acclaimed Brunello di Montalcino. The brand’s iconic name and packaging (Luce translates to "light" in Italian) was inspired by the altar at Santo Spirito in Florence – a landmark church built on land donated by the Frescobaldi family during the Renaissance.

The Frescobaldi’s took over full responsibility for the estate after their partnership with Mondavi was dissolved in 2004. The estate today consists of 615 acres of land, 217 of which are planted to vine – Sangiovese is planted in the higher elevation parcels (up to 1500 feet), which are rich in sandstone and limestone, while the lower altitude clay plots are better suited to Merlot. The Merlot is typically harvested mid-September, the Sangiovese three to four weeks later. The two varieties are blended together after fermentation and aged in 100% new French oak barrels. In 2017, the estate announced the completion of a brand new wine cellar, with state-of-the-art vinification facilities and a new dedicated winemaking team led by Stefano Ruini, who has more than 20 years of experience working for several Châteaux in the Médoc region.