There was quite a bit of excitement over opening our first bottle of the 2007 vintage of a wine that has won so much praise over the years. I had been waiting for weeks for just the right moment and last night was the night.
I don't know about you, but one of my greatest pleasures is a dinner at home with good friends and a great bottle of wine or two. My cooking buddy Greg Calbi and I put together quite a feast. But the real star of this meal was Luce.
It is a place that is home to some of Tuscany's most noted vineyards. An area that is rich in exceptional climate, elevations and soil that nurtures amazing wine.
The land has been coveted since the 1500's when Leandro Alberti, a monk from Bologna, in his Descrittione di tutto Italia, declared that Montalcino was “much recommended throughout the country for the fine wines that its pleasant hills bring forth.” it is said that into the "18th and 19th centuries many literary and political figures as well as agricultural experts all took an interest in Montalcino and its prized nectars." Winemaker
One of my very favorites, Brunello, is made in this region. I was excited to have the opportunity to try something different a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot.
I guess the most telling moment was when I saw the great smile that formed on Greg's face as we first tasted the wine. The abundunt and complex fruit flavors rising like a symphony into a perfectly well balanced whole.
We immedietly agreed that this was one special wine. In the words of the winemaker "A deep, almost opaque, ruby red greets the eye. The initial fragrances on the nose are clean-edged notes of dark fruit, such as wild blackberry and black cherry, which slowly make way for more pungent impressions of balsam and wild herbs. More evolved nuances of tanned leather and spice make for an impressive finale."
The Luce was very ready for our lavish dinner, roast pork tenderloin in a red wine gravy, herbed polenta with a squash caponata, and green beans with shallots. Of course we started with some fine cheese and sausage.
As the night wore on the wine tasted better and better. I can't wait to taste this vintage again in 2012 and probably for years after that.
"Currant and toasty oak character defines this dense and powerful red. Full and chewy. Structured and impressive. Very New World. Best after 2012"
95 Points
Wine Spectator
