*99 pts James Suckling :*
_Rank #28 top 100 2022:_
"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."
*97 pts - Decanter (Mar 2022):*
A dark tone to the nose, black pepper, liquorice and black cherries with hints of rose. So fruit forward and expressive on the palate, a riot of wild strawberries, herbal-touched raspberries and spiced liquorice sticks exude from the glass giving nuance and complexity on the palate. This is clean and crisp with fine but softly creamy tannins, weighty structure and such sweet, succulent fruit. Intense yet delivered with a slight of hand that gives definition and layers, it's fun and serious - just wonderful. So much going on here. Ageing for 24 months in barriques (80% new, 20% one year old)."
*94 pts Wine Spectator:*
"Rich and deeply colored, evoking black cherry, blackberry, plum, tar, wild herb and spice flavors. Dense yet retains a sense of freshness, with refined tannins lining the finish. Nicely integrated and long. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2024 through 2038. 7,916 cases made, 1,000 cases imported."
Luce della Vite在意大利文中即為「生命之光」,它的血統高貴,係世界兩大名莊 Frescobaldi花之蝶 (之前有買 CastelGiocondo BdM 2009的酒友可知道一下,她是花之碟家族 另一支BdM) 與 美國Robert Mondavi的合作結晶。Frescobaldi 家族發跡於意大利中部的佛羅倫斯,早在中世紀就擁有橫跨政社經三方勢力。就酒史而言,它於1308年就已有釀酒紀錄,後來對於Sangiovese此一在地品種更有長足研究。1995年,它與美國加州的那帕谷的Robert Mondavi 家族合作,選在Montalcino西南方設置了The Luce Estate(露鵲莊園)。由於當地日照充足且夏季乾燥,有效幫助了莊園南部精華地帶的葡萄生長,產出的果實除了香氣豐富之外,再加上葡萄園本身處於海拔350至420公尺,在Montalcino地區屬於地勢偏高的地帶,也因此涼爽的夜間氣候,更增添了此園複雜多變的質感,Sangiovese在此展現了經典之外的魅力。
隨著Robert Mondavi的淡出市場,Frescobaldi家族買回了酒莊,但此園名聲未受影響,各年份都是玩家收藏的對象。The Luce Estate(露鵲莊園)目前主要生產著三款酒:旗艦款Luce(露鵲),市場追逐者眾,葡萄主要來自莊園內南部的精華地帶,品種為Sangiovese與Merlot。此酒在紫羅蘭與黑櫻桃的風味之間還有一些辛香味,純淨而優雅,均衡且尾韻帶薄荷感,綿長而曼妙無比。Luce算是Montalcino區域內首款以Sangiovese與Merlot作調和的酒款。這樣的想法,某種程度也反映著意大利與美國兩大名莊合作的理念。