TENUTA LUCE Lucente 2016

(Tuscany, Italy) $30

What turns good Tuscan wines into great Tuscan wines in the presence of food? I would argue that it’s the wines’ subtle suggestion of saltiness. It’s not overt or obvious, but once you think about it, you see it—a definite (and delicious) sprinkle of salt. No one knows where this comes from (and of course there’s no actual salt in any wine). But the best Tuscan wines possess this salty sense and it magnifies the flavors of foods served with them. Try this soft, juicy Lucente and you’ll see. The wine itself is a swirl of long woodsy and fresh cherry notes, and is effortless to drink. Lucente (loo-CHEN-tay) is the “little brother” of the famous Tuscan wine Luce (LOO-chay) which costs four times more. It’s a 50/50 blend of merlot and sangiovese. To die for with homemade pasta in Bolognese sauce. (Just a thought). (13.8% abv)

90 points KM

Available at Vivino.com