Frescobaldi - Tenuta Luce della Vite : Lucente 2022

This is a mid-tier blend of Merlot and Sangiovese. Tenuta Luce 2022 Lucente opens to an inky black appearance. The wine shows oak-driven aromas of cedar and pinewood. But the effect is quite soft and hydrated. You get barbecued flavors and a hint of hickory meat. All the elements are there to underline an international-minded red blend. Production hovers at 400,000 bottles made annually.

This is supple, with a salty cast to its cherry, blackberry and plum fruit. Earth and iron notes add detail as this remains fresh on the lingering finish. Offers fine balance and is ready to enjoy. Merlot and Sangiovese. Drink now through 2030. 33,333 cases made, 6,500 cases imported.

Polished, glossy aromas have a healthy dose of expensive oak in support, but this is actually fresh and nicely balanced, with impressive fluidity on the palate and some concentrated dried blackberry fruit. An impressive effort in a torrid Tuscan vintage.

This is round and creamy, offering ripe blackberries, blueberries and hints of chocolate and cedar. Medium- to full-bodied with succulent fruit and fine tannins. Compact and focused, with good length and overall balance. Drink now or hold.

Full bottle 1,274g. Merlot and Sangiovese (but the estate is tight-lipped about the proportions) fermented in stainless steel with a total maceration on the skins of 20 days, but it is unclear which variety was fermented in what way, as they undoubtedly were not co-fermented. More info please! Total acidity 5.73 g/l. Impenetrable dark crimson. Luxurious nose of oak and black forest fruit yet lively, even if it is a little formulaic. There was only 10 days of skin contact, clearly because any longer and the tannins would be massive. There is a little astringency to this wine but overall it is hedonistic, as always. (WS)