Wine By Nine

Red Wine by Luce from Tuscany, Italy. Tuscany's 1999 vintage is acclaimed for red wines of long aging potential. The intense sun of the summer months encouraged early maturation of the berries, leading to Sangiovese and Merlot grapes of superior soft tannins and lower levels of acidity. The heavy rains of October did not compromise fruit quality, since the sunshine and constant breeze that shortly followed dried off any excess moisture. The grapes for Luce were brought to the winery in excellent condition with fully developed flavors and an ideal balance of sugar concentration and acidity. Luce, the signature wine of the Frescobaldi family of Tuscany and the Robert Mondavi family of Napa Valley, captures the unique terroir expression of a beautiful hillside vineyard in the famous region of Montalcino. Powerful, yet elegant, the 1999 Luce reflects the expertise of the two renowned winegrowing families with rich, complex layers of ripe fruit. The intense bouquet offers enticing aromas of raspberries and black currants layered with nuances of vanilla and cloves. On the palate, this wine shows its great consistency, perfectly integrated tannins and just the right touch of acidity. The vibrant flavors of blackberry and blueberry weave into a long, warm finish.