Having previously introduced Luce della Vite's Super Tuscan, it's finally time to recommend their Brunello di Montalcino. The estate spans 88 hectares, with only 11 hectares qualifying for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG designation. This limited production meticulously selects the finest Sangiovese grapes from the vineyard, aged for 24 months in oak barrels. The Frescobaldi family has been winemaking since 1308, conducting extensive, long-term research on the Sangiovese variety. Moreover, Luce della Vite is the highest-elevation winery in Montalcino (350-420 meters), The elevated altitude enhances Sangiovese cultivation conditions, with cool, breezy climates preserving greater complexity in the grapes. The vineyards feature Galestro soil—a unique Tuscan mixture of schist and sandstone—alongside limestone. Galestro is found only in Tuscany's most exceptional vineyards. This soil provides excellent drainage and stays dry, benefiting Sangiovese growth. The southwest exposure ensures full ripening, ultimately building the power and extraordinary richness of Brunello di Montalcino. Without blending Merlot, Brunello di Montalcino becomes the purest expression of Sangiovese and the truest embodiment of Italy's light of life.
🏅 James Suckling 98 pts
Ripe, decadent aromas of blackberries, black truffles and black cherries with hints of violets. Dark, wet earth, too. Full-bodied with a solid core of beautiful, pure fruit and creamy, round and fine tannins. Tight and reserved, but showing wonderful potential.
🏅 Falstaff 97 pts
Powerful ruby with a fine garnet edge. Very compact nose with inviting notes of ripe, dark cherries, blackberries, fine savouriness in the background. Juicy and round in approach and course, shows a lot of vivid fruit, fine-meshed tannin in many layers, in the final firm drive, compact.
🏅 Wine Spectator 96 pts
Pure black cherry, blackberry and black currant flavors abound in this rich red, supported by graphite, earth, wild rosemary and anise notes. Balanced and almost approachable now, yet the refined tannins and bright acidity should allow this to develop for decades.
🏅 Decanter 95 pts
Lighter in colour than the Luce, higher acidity even on the aromatics, gorgeously sculpted and nuanced, with kick and backbone. A savoury edge to the fruit, and strong spices, we are here at almost five years since harvest and you feel the softened tannins with tobacco and olive paste alongside still bright cherry fruits. This is sliding towards being ready to drink, although a few more years will really open things up.
🏅 Wine Advocate 94 pts
From the Frescobaldi family of Florence, the Luce della Vite (or Tenuta Luce) 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Luce is a wine of depth and intensity. This 2016 vintage goes further and offers more substance than most of the recent vintages we've seen. It reveals a dark color and appearance with cocktail cherry, balsam spice and a touch of white chocolate. The tannins are dry, but the wine compensates with a good dose of that concentrated fruit richness that defines this classic vintage.
🏅 Wine Enthusiast 92 pts
The shy nose eventually reveals balsamic aromas of menthol and cedar that mingle with underbrush, leather and baked plum. The full-bodied palate recalls cherries marinated in spirits, licorice, vanilla and grilled porcini while assertive, close-grained tannins clench the finish.
