‘Luce,’ the light of the vine, shines in Tuscany

The morning sunlight that wakes up the vines in Tuscany’s Montalcino region inspired partners Robert Mondavi (California) and Vittorio Frescobaldi (Italy) to name the plot of land they acquired together “Luce della Vite,” thus creating the first wine partnership of it’s kind in Italy in 1995.

The common goal of the Frescobaldis and the Mondavis is to produce excellent and unique wines by combining the vision, technical skills and love of the land the two families share.

According to Robert Mondavi, of Napa fame, “It has always been my family’s dream to return to our grandparents birthplace and produce world-class Italian wines. We found the perfect partners in the Frescobaldis.”

The land they acquired, 475 acres (of which 135 are vines), lies southwest of Montalcino. High altitude (1,100-1,300 feet) combined with sustainable farming has turned this once overrun estate into a gem.

Organic procedures and low yields have helped produce an array of wines that are both unique and now legendary. Using a grape combination that changes percentages yearly, of Merlot and Sangiovese, the duo has created a wine that is truly world-class.

The estate is special because of its southern exposure combined with long, dry summers, allowing for a slow ripening of the grapes, thus creating an abundance of concentration with aromatic complexities.

What I found unusual and brilliant is the higher altitude is full of shale and home to the Sangiovese grape, while the lower elevations are richer in clay and perfect for Merlot. A grape marriage takes place between the Sangiovese and Merlot varietals. Merlot ripens several weeks before Sangiovese. The vines are hand-harvested separately. Both varieties undergo alcoholic fermentation and extensive maceration until they are blended together.

Lamberto Frescobaldi, a 30th generation member of the Frescobaldi family, is the winemaker and responsible for each Luce vintage. Planting the Merlot grape in a region that historically was completely Sangiovese was a large risk the dynamic duo of Mondavi and Frescobaldi created.

Lamberto’s job is to create the perfect expression these two grapes can achieve through his personal direction. Lamberto said, “Although Luce is connected to my family’s traditions, Luce is a wine and an idea all its own.”

And thanks to Frescobaldi Brand Manager and Luce Ambassador Alessandro Lunardi (see photo), I agree.

Alessandro poured vintages 2009, ’07, ’04, ’01, 1999 and ’95 for a small group of select guests. I was fortunate enough to be one of the lucky guests.

The Luce vertical tasting is a wonderful way to taste wines evolution wine from birth to maturity. Nuances, weather and Merlot-Sangiovese proportions change yearly, thus creating a new expression of Luce year after year.

“Luce,” with its obvious dark fruit and balanced tannins is a a true world-class wine, one that Vittorio Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi created, together, in 1995.

Posted by Phillip Kampe on October 25, 2012. Filed under Columns,Food,Opinion,Wine and Beyond. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry