Della Vitte 2020 (Luce)

Drink now or cellar for up to 20 years.. Decant 1 hour before serving. The legendary Luce della Vitte is widely recognised as one of Italy’s finest Super Tuscans and the first wine from Montalcino to combine both Sangiovese and Merlot.

Luce was born of a collaboration between the Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi family and Robert Mondavi who together realised the benefits of combining soft, well-rounded Merlot grapes with Montalcino’s typically elegant and finely-structured Sangiovese.

The grapes used for this exquisite wine are all sourced from prime sites in Montalcino which sit at an altitude of 350-420 metres. Following the harvest in September the grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks and then matured in 85% new oak barrels for 24 months.

The result is a remarkably complex and multi-layered wine that oozes charm and sophistication. Fresh black cherries, cassis, and blueberries sing out on the nose, while the palate offers rich berry jam and hints of dried Mediterranean herbs, dark chocolate and roasted coffee beans.

The firm structure and tannins means this is an excellent contender for extended cellar ageing and will continue to develop and evolve over the next decade or so.