Tenuta Luce
About Tenuta Luce
Tenuta Luce is a Montalcino collaboration between Robert Mondavi and Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi - two of the biggest names in the US and Italian wine, respectively. Tenuta Luce can consider itself related through its founders to Opus One, Ornellaia, Masseto and, of course, its elder brother and Brunello neighbour CastelGiacondo. The pedigree of this wine was apparent 30 years ago. Since 2005, Lamberto Frescobaldi (the Frescobaldi family) has been the sole proprietors of Tenuta Luce. Tenuta Luce is created to express the fabulously varied and beautiful terroirs of Tuscany.
Tenuta Luce's Wines
Luce Della Vite is the finest wine produced by this remarkable estate, which saw its first vintage released in 1993, Luce was the first wine in Montalcino made by blending the roundness and softness of Merlot, from Montalcino vineyard plots planted in the 1970s, with the elegance and structure of Sangiovese.

Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Tuscany | 1 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£648.29 |
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James Suckling (96)A ripe but suggestive nose of dark cherries, dark chocolate, hot stones, cassis, brambleberry pie and bark. Yet, on the palate, this paints an altogether different picture, in which sleek tannins carry fresh layers of forest fruit long, through a compact, full-bodied palate. Powerful acidity steers it through to a restrained but chewy finish. Drink from 2024. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£614.44 |
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James Suckling (97)Dark-berry, walnut, cedar and violet aromas with just a hint of chocolate. Full-bodied, layered and rich with ripe tannins and a vivid finish. Shows energy and a velvety texture. Deep and long. Give it two or three years to soften. Try after 2022. |
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Tuscany | 26 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£161.29 |
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James Suckling (97)Very focused and classy on the nose with blackberries, currants, mushrooms and dark bark. It’s full-bodied with a tight palate of chewy tannins that give structure and form to the wine. Beautiful center palate of dark fruit and mushrooms. Subtle and strong. Give this at least three or four years to resolve itself. Best after 2024. |
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Tuscany | 16 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£524.69 |
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James Suckling (97)Very focused and classy on the nose with blackberries, currants, mushrooms and dark bark. It’s full-bodied with a tight palate of chewy tannins that give structure and form to the wine. Beautiful center palate of dark fruit and mushrooms. Subtle and strong. Give this at least three or four years to resolve itself. Best after 2024. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£196.01 |
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James Suckling (99)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. |
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|
Tuscany | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£546.04 |
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James Suckling (99)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. |
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|
Tuscany | 100 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£407.69 |
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James Suckling (97)Very pretty orange peel with currants and blue berries. Flowers, too. Medium to full body with firm and velvety tannins that are polished and impressive. Fresh fruit at the end. Serious structure and brightness. Drink after 2026. |
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Tuscany | 39 | 93 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£407.69 |
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Wine Advocate (93)This is an iconic bottle that has seen mild stylistic tweaks but that fundamentally has remained quite consistent over the years. Sticking to its blueprint, the Tenuta Luce 2021 Luce della Vite remains a "super Tuscan-styled" blockbuster that speaks more of the grapes used in the blend than it does its territory. It is made with Sangiovese and Merlot. It shows thick extraction, soft tannins and a velvety mouthfeel. The oak tannins are a little dry, but the wine remains plush and accessible overall. Production is an ample 130,000 bottles. |
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Tuscany | 9 | - |
Inc. VAT
£327.74 |
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|
Tuscany | 26 | - |
Inc. VAT
£325.94 |
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|
Tuscany | 30 | 60.0 |
Inc. VAT
£145.24 |
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Tuscany | 9 | 94 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£149.44 |
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James Suckling (94)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. |
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|
Tuscany | 99 | - |
Inc. VAT
£146.09 |
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|
Tuscany | 100 | 90 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£146.09 |
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Decanter (90)Red fruits and chalky tannins, this has elements of tobacco, vanilla and cool purple fruit. Well made with a direct line from start to finish. Balanced in terms of ripe fruit with hint of chocolate and wet stones on the finish. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 89 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£429.14 |
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Vinous (89)The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Luce is dark, super-ripe and heavily extracted. Blackberry jam, mocha, bittersweet chocolate, spice, menthol, plum and cloves wrap around the palate. Copius French oak gives the wine much of its texture and succulence. There isn't a whole lot of Sangiovese character here. Readers who like plush, concentrated wines will enjoy the 2011. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 100 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£295.13 |
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James Suckling (100)Amazing aromas of crushed berries, cherries, flowers, black truffles and wet earth, turning to violets and black tea. Extremely aromatic. Full-bodied, deep and profound with fantastically strong tannins that just melt into the wine. Fantastic length and intensity. Truly great. Drinkable, but better in 2024 and onwards. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£377.54 |
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James Suckling (98)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. Try after 2025. |
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|
Tuscany | 29 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£266.54 |
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James Suckling (96)A finely structured and focused Brunello with a complex array of cherries, blackberries, dried roses, bark, licorice and hints of praline. Iodine and oyster shells, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine tannins. Beautiful texture and balance. Remains fresh and fine until the end. Try in 2025. |
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|
Tuscany | 199 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£228.14 |
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James Suckling (98)Black cherries and blueberries with walnut and lavender undertones. Medium body with very fine tannins that run the length of the wine and caress every inch of your palate. Fresh and vivid. A wine for the cellar, but already fantastic to taste. Best after 2027. |
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Tuscany | 200 | 96 (JA) |
Inc. VAT
£228.14 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)Good typicity, skillful construction, more muscular than the other Brunellos in the lineup perhaps, imbued with the house style of Luce, but this is a lovely wine, food friendly with a ton of depth. Can drink now but can age. Alessandro Marini director and winemaker. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Tuscany | 1 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£521.00 |
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James Suckling (96)A ripe but suggestive nose of dark cherries, dark chocolate, hot stones, cassis, brambleberry pie and bark. Yet, on the palate, this paints an altogether different picture, in which sleek tannins carry fresh layers of forest fruit long, through a compact, full-bodied palate. Powerful acidity steers it through to a restrained but chewy finish. Drink from 2024. |
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|
Tuscany | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£496.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)Dark-berry, walnut, cedar and violet aromas with just a hint of chocolate. Full-bodied, layered and rich with ripe tannins and a vivid finish. Shows energy and a velvety texture. Deep and long. Give it two or three years to soften. Try after 2022. |
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|
Tuscany | 26 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£128.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)Very focused and classy on the nose with blackberries, currants, mushrooms and dark bark. It’s full-bodied with a tight palate of chewy tannins that give structure and form to the wine. Beautiful center palate of dark fruit and mushrooms. Subtle and strong. Give this at least three or four years to resolve itself. Best after 2024. |
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|
Tuscany | 16 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£418.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)Very focused and classy on the nose with blackberries, currants, mushrooms and dark bark. It’s full-bodied with a tight palate of chewy tannins that give structure and form to the wine. Beautiful center palate of dark fruit and mushrooms. Subtle and strong. Give this at least three or four years to resolve itself. Best after 2024. |
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|
Tuscany | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
£158.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)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. |
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|
Tuscany | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
£439.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)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. |
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|
Tuscany | 100 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£320.50 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)Very pretty orange peel with currants and blue berries. Flowers, too. Medium to full body with firm and velvety tannins that are polished and impressive. Fresh fruit at the end. Serious structure and brightness. Drink after 2026. |
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|
Tuscany | 39 | 93 (WA) |
In Bond
£320.50 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (93)This is an iconic bottle that has seen mild stylistic tweaks but that fundamentally has remained quite consistent over the years. Sticking to its blueprint, the Tenuta Luce 2021 Luce della Vite remains a "super Tuscan-styled" blockbuster that speaks more of the grapes used in the blend than it does its territory. It is made with Sangiovese and Merlot. It shows thick extraction, soft tannins and a velvety mouthfeel. The oak tannins are a little dry, but the wine remains plush and accessible overall. Production is an ample 130,000 bottles. |
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|
Tuscany | 9 | - |
In Bond
£263.50 |
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|
Tuscany | 26 | - |
In Bond
£262.00 |
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|
Tuscany | 30 | 60.0 |
In Bond
£105.00 |
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|
Tuscany | 9 | 94 (JS) |
In Bond
£108.50 |
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James Suckling (94)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. |
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|
Tuscany | 99 | - |
In Bond
£102.50 |
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|
Tuscany | 100 | 90 (DC) |
In Bond
£102.50 |
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Decanter (90)Red fruits and chalky tannins, this has elements of tobacco, vanilla and cool purple fruit. Well made with a direct line from start to finish. Balanced in terms of ripe fruit with hint of chocolate and wet stones on the finish. |
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|
Tuscany | 1 | 89 (VN) |
In Bond
£348.00 |
|||||
Vinous (89)The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Luce is dark, super-ripe and heavily extracted. Blackberry jam, mocha, bittersweet chocolate, spice, menthol, plum and cloves wrap around the palate. Copius French oak gives the wine much of its texture and succulence. There isn't a whole lot of Sangiovese character here. Readers who like plush, concentrated wines will enjoy the 2011. |
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|
Tuscany | 1 | 100 (JS) |
In Bond
£236.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (100)Amazing aromas of crushed berries, cherries, flowers, black truffles and wet earth, turning to violets and black tea. Extremely aromatic. Full-bodied, deep and profound with fantastically strong tannins that just melt into the wine. Fantastic length and intensity. Truly great. Drinkable, but better in 2024 and onwards. |
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|
Tuscany | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£305.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)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. Try after 2025. |
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|
Tuscany | 29 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£212.50 |
|||||
James Suckling (96)A finely structured and focused Brunello with a complex array of cherries, blackberries, dried roses, bark, licorice and hints of praline. Iodine and oyster shells, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine tannins. Beautiful texture and balance. Remains fresh and fine until the end. Try in 2025. |
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|
Tuscany | 199 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£180.50 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)Black cherries and blueberries with walnut and lavender undertones. Medium body with very fine tannins that run the length of the wine and caress every inch of your palate. Fresh and vivid. A wine for the cellar, but already fantastic to taste. Best after 2027. |
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|
Tuscany | 200 | 96 (JA) |
In Bond
£180.50 |
|||||
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)Good typicity, skillful construction, more muscular than the other Brunellos in the lineup perhaps, imbued with the house style of Luce, but this is a lovely wine, food friendly with a ton of depth. Can drink now but can age. Alessandro Marini director and winemaker. |