Luce 2017 Lucente Toscana IGT 1.5L

Lucente is termed a second wine, but this blend of merlot and sangiovese is much more than that. It begins with a stainless steel ferment before spending 24 months of ageing in a mix of aged barrels, including a portion of new oak. 2017 was a perfect year, from a fresh, crisp spring to a dry summer, with only a little helping rain before harvest to freshen the fruit. The nose is fragrant with notes of wild strawberries, black raspberries, and spice that tumble onto its toasty, silky, umami-laden red fruit palate. There is a slight tug of tannin, but you can easily enjoy this now with steak or chicken. Hold or drink. Love the balance.

Score: 90 points -- Antony Gismondi, gismondionwine.com, 2019