This is the second wine from Tenuta Luce, the wine estate based in the Montalcino region of south-central Tuscany, and, upon its debut in 1993, was one of the very first Super Tuscan producers in the region. Its first vintage was released in 1995; the winery is the pride and joy of the Frescobaldi family, an Italian winemaking dynasty that dates to the Medicis.

Tenuta Luce is Italy’s version of California’s Opus One. Whereas Opus One melded Napa Valley’s legendary Robert Mondavi with France’s Baron Rothschild, Tenuta Luce pairs the Mondavis with the Frescobaldi clan to showcase the terroir of Montalcino and its native proprietary Brunello-clone of Sangiovese with the international grape Merlot.

Enough with the history lesson, let’s get into the wine! A blend of equal parts Sangiovese and Merlot, the wine announces its complex character with a deep, India-ink black/purple color and smoky aroma of ripe black berries blended with a hint of smoky tobacco much like a fine Maduro cigar.

Tenuta Luce Lucente has consistently won gold medals and has been rated 99 points, the same score as its more well-known ‘Super Tuscan’ counterpart, Sassicaia.

I first became acquainted with Lucente at a tasting session with Frescobaldi’s President, Lamberto Frescobaldi, who is founder Vittorio’s son. He was quick to point out that the vineyards that produce Lucente are in the very heart of the Val d’Orcia National Park, a UNESCO declared Intangible Cultural Heritage Site.

Located nearly a thousand feet above sea level, Tenuta Luce is one of the highest wineries in the Montalcino area. As company president and chief winemaker, Lamberto Frescobaldi has developed specific winemaking methods that preserve the vision of two of the most important men in winemaking history, Vittorio Frescobaldi, and Robert Gerald Mondavi.

This is a big wine with nearly 14% alcohol and with a hearty mouthful of red wine flavor to match. Background notes of balsamic and delicate savory herbs frame ripe black cherries with soft tannins. Aging for a year in a mix of oak barrels; 55% new French oak, 5% new American oak then resting in large oak barrels before bottling, gives the wine added richness.

To say that this is an elegant wine is a supreme understatement. This is a wine to enjoy with your most luxurious meals- Rack of Lamb, a Prime Aged Porterhouse of Cowboy Steak, or a rich Italian dish, such as Osso Bucco or Veal Marsala. Pull out all the stops!

Don’t let the price fool you. This wine will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any of the Super Tuscans selling for four times the price (and most do!). Visit Frescobaldi.com/en for more.