Accolades

This brand earns consistently high marks with wine publications.

• Wine Spectator gave the 2006 Luce della Vite an excellent review and 94 pts. (Oct 31, 2009)
• Antonio Galloni posted his report on Brunello di Montalcino on erobertparker.com, which included reviews for 2004 Luce Brunello di Montalcino (89 pts) and 2006 Luce della Vite (89 pts). (July 7, 2009)
• 2004 Luce Brunello review was posted on WineSpectator.com—95 points, "2004 Luce Brunello di Montalcino, Blueberry, grape and light raisin aromas follow through to a full body, with Indian spices, berries and cloves. Very long and flavorful, yet balanced and pretty. Loads going on here." (March 16, 2009)
• Alder Yarrow wrote about the Benvenuto Brunello event in SF on his wine blog, Vinography.  The 2004 Luce Brunello received 8.5 to 9 rating (based on 10-pt scale).  Also, he includes his perspective on the DOC/DOCG regulations in the comments section. (February 2009) Click link to Blog: http://www.vinography.com/archives/2009/02/the_best_of_brunello_tasting_t.html
• Coverage of the Effetto Luce Event that Folio hosted at the InterContinental hotel in SF.  We featured five vintages of Luce, including the Luce Brunello, paired with hors d’oeuvres prepared by Luce restaurant chef, Dominique Crenn, who was recently named Chef of the Year by Esquire magazine. The attached Web post is from Mika Takeuchi, our Luce Ambassador who attended the event. Mika is based in LA and runs two Web sites: FoodFashionista.com and FashionBliss.com. 
  -Below is a link to some photos that our media partner, 7x7 magazine, took at the event. Photo link: http://cid-f063e91282828849.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Wine%20Tour
  (November 8, 2008)
• Wine Spectator posted a score of 94 pts and this review of 2003 Luce della Vite Brunello di Montalcino Luce - "Big and powerful for the vintage. Full-bodied, with loads of ripe fruit that turns to black pepper and sultana, with smoky oak and dark chocolate. Very long and opulent. On the edge of being too much, but it’s impressive. A debut Brunello from this estate and one of the best of the vintage." (August 31, 2008)
• Wine Spectator Insider gives the 2006 Lucente 91 points with the following review: "There's plenty of fresh strawberry and currant on the nose. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a solid core of ripe fruit. Long and caressing. Rich and dense, yet balanced and refined. The best Lucente ever." (July 30, 2008)
• Tuscan Reds featured in Wine & Spirits:
  -Luce della Vite 2004 Luce (90 pts)--"This vintage of Luce has appealing aromas of dried flowers and cool, jammy fruit.  The assertive tannins mellow with air, the wine a friendly companion for braised boar sugo." (April 2008)
• Wine Spectator gives the 2004 Luce high praise (October 15, 2007),"This is balanced and refined, with licorice, lavendar and hints of ripe fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a balanced, silky-textured finish." 91 points
• Wine Advocate's Antonio Galloni rates Central Tuscany (June 2007, Issue 171)
  - 2003 Luce - ...a rich, weighty effort packed with super-ripe dark fruit, scorched earth, tar and sweet toasted oak nuances on a large-scaled, opulent frame... 88 pts
  - 2005 Lucente - ...packed with spices, sweet dark fruit and toasted oak notes.Medium to full-bodied, it offers excellent length, yet closes with hard, somewhat astringent tannins. This opulent, fruit-driven wine should drink well to age ten or so... 86 pts
  
• The 2004 Lucente was named the “Wine of the Week” by The Washington Post and declared to be “the most stylish $25 wine on the market today.” (September 2006)
• Wine Spectator awarded the Luce della Vite 2003 Toscana Lucente 90 points and the 2001 Toscana Luce 92 points. (2005)
  
• Wine Spectator gave the 2001 Luce 92 points and said, “This is a seductive, ultra-refined wine. This firmly places Luce in the big leagues. Well done.” (2005)