San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucere 2013

San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucere 2013 is a single-vineyard 100% Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, in a standard 750ml bottle. This expression earned 96 points from James Suckling, who described it as "gorgeous" with "round and velvety tannins." Le Lucere represents the estate's most precise and distinguished bottling, a step above San Filippo's Annata-level Brunello in concentration and complexity.

Quick Facts: Grape: 100% Sangiovese  |  Origin: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy  |  Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG  |  Vintage: 2013  |  Producer: San Filippo

Production & Heritage

San Filippo is a small estate in the heart of Montalcino, operating within one of Italy's most celebrated appellations for Sangiovese. Le Lucere is the property's single-vineyard selection, sourced from a specific plot that consistently delivers heightened intensity and elegance. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks following a cold pre-maceration of two days at 10°C, with the primary fermentation lasting 10 to 12 days at 26–28°C. Malolactic fermentation occurs in cement and stainless steel vats. The wine then ages for 24 to 28 months in a combination of barrels and barriques before spending an additional 10 months refining in bottle prior to release.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with intense, finely layered aromas of cherry preserved in alcohol and fresh pink flowers, building toward dried blackberry, black currant, and subtle orange peel. Warm spice notes of cinnamon and cloves emerge beneath, adding depth without heaviness.

Taste: The palate entry is rich and juicy, delivering sour red cherry and strawberry alongside leather and carob. At mid-palate the wine shows remarkable density, with silky, fine-grained tannins supporting a generous body. The sugar-acid-tannin balance is captivating, keeping the wine lively despite its considerable weight and concentration.

Finish: Long and perfumed, with a saline, mouthwatering quality that lingers well after the last sip. Fine grains of texture carry flavors of smoke, spice, and dried fruit through a persistent, harmonious aftertaste.

How to Drink Le Lucere 2013

This Brunello rewards careful attention — serve it at 16–18°C in a large-bowled glass, ideally after 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to allow the complex aromatics to fully unfold. Neat appreciation is the primary serve, letting the wine's single-vineyard character speak without interference. For a classic Italian pairing, it anchors a Sangiovese-based Negroni variation where its tannin structure and cherry depth hold up against bitter vermouth. It also provides a commanding backbone in a red wine reduction for braised meats. On warmer evenings, a light chill and splash into a wine spritz with bitters and soda offers a surprisingly elegant aperitivo, though this is best reserved for younger, less cellar-worthy vintages.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Italian wine collector or Brunello enthusiast
• Anchoring a formal dinner featuring Tuscan or northern Italian cuisine
• Cellaring for a milestone anniversary or birthday five to ten years out
• Tasting side-by-side against other top 2013 Montalcino single-vineyard selections

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Le Lucere 2013 taste like? It delivers a rich core of cherry, strawberry, and dried blackberry layered with leather, cinnamon, cloves, and a saline finish. The tannins are silky and dense, and the overall impression is one of elegance and harmonious intensity.

How does Le Lucere compare to San Filippo's standard Brunello? Le Lucere is a single-vineyard selection that shows greater precision and distinction than the estate's Annata bottling, with deeper concentration and more complex aromatics. The Annata offers broader, more approachable Montalcino character, while Le Lucere rewards patience and structured contemplation.

Is Le Lucere 2013 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a wine built for focused, undistracted drinking, ideally after decanting. Its layered aromatics and fine tannin structure reveal new dimensions with each sip.

Where is Le Lucere made? Le Lucere is produced by the San Filippo estate in Montalcino, a hilltop town in southern Tuscany, Italy. The appellation Brunello di Montalcino DOCG mandates 100% Sangiovese and strict aging requirements.

What foods pair well with Le Lucere 2013? Bistecca alla Fiorentina brings out the wine's savory leather and spice notes. Wild boar ragù over pappardelle matches its density and earthy undertones. Aged Pecorino Toscano mirrors the saline finish beautifully. Braised short ribs complement the wine's rich tannin structure. Truffle-topped fresh pasta elevates the aromatic complexity of both wine and dish.

What sizes does Le Lucere come in? San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucere is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Le Lucere 2013 worth the price? Le Lucere positions as a premium single-vineyard Brunello di Montalcino, competing with some of the appellation's most acclaimed crus. A 96-point score from James Suckling and genuine single-vineyard provenance place it firmly in the upper tier of Montalcino's offerings, where it delivers strong value relative to more heavily marketed estate names.

Why Le Lucere 2013?

The 2013 vintage in Montalcino is widely regarded as excellent, producing wines with structure and aging potential. Le Lucere from that year earned 96 points from James Suckling, confirming its place among the vintage's standout bottlings. What distinguishes this wine from broader Brunello releases is its single-vineyard origin and the estate's meticulous approach — cold pre-maceration, extended barrel aging in both large casks and barriques, and nearly a year of bottle rest before release. For collectors seeking authentic Montalcino terroir expression from a benchmark vintage without the inflated pricing of larger-production prestige labels, Le Lucere 2013 stands as a compelling, fully mature selection.