Luce Brunello

Twelve of the twenty-five hectares under vine on the Luce della Vite Estate are officially listed in the Register for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) and may be used for the production of that prestigious wine. The first Brunello was produced in Montalcino in the second half of the 19th century and in 1980 Brunello became the first wine in Italy to obtain Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita.

With the Luce Brunello we want to continue a journey of excellence inspired by the uniqueness of its territory of origin. The selection process for Sangiovese grapes destined for Brunello is extremely meticulous, as it is for all of our wines. When the grapes arrive in the cellars, 10 workers inspect the clusters on a sorting table, choosing only the best ones. During the fermentation and maceration on the skins, that take place in stainless steel vats, every effort is directed to extracting maximum flavour from the grapes and tannins that are ripe and smooth. Then a five year aging period follows, at least two years of which must be carried out in oak barrels.

Tasting notes – 2005 Vintage
The wine appears an intense ruby red color with even deeper highlights. Aromas of ripe fruit predominate on the nose, particularly of crisp red fruits such as plum and bright cherry. These aromas gradually yield to floral notes of violets and to spicy impressions of black pepper, mixed with a hint of pencil lead. Sensations of cocoa powder and black liquorice, typical of a wine undergoing evolution in the bottle, enrich the bouquet throughout its course. The wine exhibits significant warmth and mouthfilling allure on the palate, thanks to vibrant, still-youthful tannins, classic to Sangiovese. The entire progression of flavors exhibits rich fruit with emphatic yet judicious alcohol. The finish is marked by an impressive, multi-layered complexity. Overall, this is a strikingly rich wine with a very lengthy development.

Ratings & Reviews
2004 Vintage
95 points – Wine Spectator, Web-only 2009

2003 Vintage
94 points – Wine Spectator, August 31, 2008