2004
After a growing season that fluctuated back and forth and required painstaking vineyard supervision, the results could not have been better.
A mild spring and cool summer encouraged a gradual, constant ripening process for sangiovese and merlot, avoiding heat stress. Veraison took place in the first weekend of August and therefore harvest started a few days later than the average over the last few years. Tuscany generally saw a 5-10% decline in crop compared with recent harvests.
Despite a somewhat challenging harvest period, the final balance is quite positive, since the fruit brought into the cellar was of excellent quality. Sunny, breeze-filled days in late September brought good levels of concentration to the grapes, healthy fruit and perfect phenolic ripeness; together these qualities yielded a powerful 2005 Luce with fine structure and expressive tannins.
Tasting Notes:
2005 Luce appears a deep purplish-ruby red.
The nose initially releases ripe dried plum and bright wild berry fruit, with blueberry and raspberry predominating, complemented by clean-edged notes of morello cherry, yielding gradually to more pungent essences, particularly intertwined impressions of eucalyptus and menthol, which shade into spicy black pepper and cinnamon, and smooth vanilla. Last to emerge are enticingly crisp nuances of mown hay, black liquorice, and pencil lead.
The attack is velvet smooth, and a firm-structured palate builds great depth, supported by a massive suite of fine-grained, ripe tannins. An almost endless finish crowns this impressive offering.
