"Lucente" is the name of an Italian wine produced by Luce della Vite.  This producer also makes a more expensive wine simply called "Luce".  This wine label has some big names and strange bedfellows behind it.  The history of this wine making venture started in 1995 when the Robert Mondavi family partnered with the Frescobaldi family (of Tuscany) to enter a joint venture producing several Italian wines.  For those unfamiliar with the Frescobaldi family, they own the prestigious winery Marchesi de Frescobaldi, and produce one of the best Brunello di Montalcino wines in the world.  When one of Italy's foremost wine families pairs up with California's "godfather" of wine, something interesting is bound to arise.  This joint venture also produced Ornellaia, which won Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year in 2001.  As many readers know, the Mondavi family lost control of their winery business several years ago when it was bought out by the international beverage conglomerate "Constellation Brands", which is traded on the New York Stock exchange.  When the Mondavis no longer controlled their half of the joint venture, the Frescobaldi family took full control of the operation beginning in 2005.

Lucente is essentially an inexpensive super-Tuscan blend.  The 2001 version was a solid offering.  Slighlty earthy with lots of vibrant cherry and deep black fruit over a network of fine well integrated tannin.  A great wine to drink with pasta.

Purchased 11/06 for a little over $20 at the Wine Connection in Del Mar.

3.5 stars

 

What did you think of this article?

Liked
Disliked
No Opinion