Tenuta Luce BYOB at Pazzo’s Destin
For the second time this month, our last night in Destin, we dined at Pazzo Italiano dining in Destin. We wrote earlier how we had overlooked Pazzo Italiano Ristorante & Bar, located a short six minutes from our vacation rental and intend to make it a ‘regular’.Pazzo Italiano is the partnership of Alfonso Di Bonito and Levente Tischler. Alfonso is an Italian native, an award winning pizza chef who learned his craft in a bakery in his native Napoli, Italy, as early as when he was 14. Levente is an entrepreneur from a small town in Romania, who also started his restaurant career as early as 14. He’s living his dream of operating his own restaurant.
Tonight, again, we had a fabulous dinner, in a wonderful atmosphere, with a great BYOB wine.
As mentioned in my earlier post, Pazzo was awarded “Best in Destin Magazine Reader’s Choice Award” in 2023, 24, 25, and 26.
We sat at a booth opposite the bar … cozy and comfortable .,.. but maybe not so when the bar is bustling … we look forward to finding out !
The extensive menu has all the traditional Italian offerings. We each ordered one of our usual favorites - a point of comparison between restaurants.
I ordered the Fettucini Bolognese - ground beef and pork, Pomodoro sauce, red wine … rich and delicious!
Both entrees were absolutely delicious, as good as any, reminding us why Pazzo is definitely on our short list and must return for future dining in Destin.This is the 30th anniversary of this label, as noted in gold lettering on the painted bottle front and the black tissue wrap packaging, the Tenuta Luce was a joint venture between two wine giants Vittorio Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi. In those early days, wines were produced by their respective sons, Lamberto and Tim, both young oenologists.
Luce’s first harvests, in 1993 and 1994, were presented together in 1997, this label has long been regarded as a benchmark Super Tuscan. In 1998 they added Lucente, the second wine of Tenuta Luce and in 2003 Luce Brunello was added. The project continued to grow with an acquisition in 2001.
As mentioned in my earlier post, Pazzo was awarded “Best in Destin Magazine Reader’s Choice Award” in 2023, 24, 25, and 26.
This time it was early dinner, we dined inside, and it was another wonderful, delightful evening - ambiance, food, service, and even the music. We love their ‘canned’ music playlist.
They post the daily specials - food and wine, on the chalkboards overlooking the dining room …
For pairing with dinner, I took from our Destin wine cooler cellar a Super Tuscan - Sangiovese Merlot blend for a fabulous food wine pairing, which amplified the enjoyment of both (the food and the wine).
The extensive menu has all the traditional Italian offerings. We each ordered one of our usual favorites - a point of comparison between restaurants.
Once again, Linda ordered the Eggplant Parmigiana - marinara, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmagiano, Regianno and Béchamel sauce, (a classic French white sauce made from a butter-and-flour roux whisked with milk and seasoned with salt and nutmeg).
I ordered the Fettucini Bolognese - ground beef and pork, Pomodoro sauce, red wine … rich and delicious!
Both entrees were absolutely delicious, as good as any, reminding us why Pazzo is definitely on our short list and must return for future dining in Destin.
Our BYOB wine from our home cellar … a fantastic choice … perfect pairing with the Italian cuisine!
Tenuta Luce ‘Luce della Vite’ 30a Vendemmia 2022
Luce’s first harvests, in 1993 and 1994, were presented together in 1997, this label has long been regarded as a benchmark Super Tuscan. In 1998 they added Lucente, the second wine of Tenuta Luce and in 2003 Luce Brunello was added. The project continued to grow with an acquisition in 2001.
The join venture with Mondavi ended in 2005 and Lamberto Frescobaldi took control directing the production. In 2015, Lux Vitis was added.
From the Tenuta Luce vineyard in Montalcino, this is a blend of equal parts Sangiovese, the local native varietal, augmented with the roundness of Merlot.
It was aged in barrique with 80% new oak.
10,833 cases made, 900 cases imported
Winemaker Notes - “Luce 2022 appears a shimmering ruby red. The nose is redolent of crisp, red berry fruit, such as redcurrant and pomegranate, infused with delicate floral essences. The entry is immediately enfolding on the palate, where ripe, supple tannins perfectly complement a crisp, vibrant mid-palate, continuing through to a full-flavored, near-endless finish.”
This highly acclaimed release was rated 96 points by both James Suckling and Jeb Dunnuck, 94 points by Wine Advocate, 93 by Vinous and Decanter, and 92 by Wine Spectator.
Winemaker Notes - “Luce 2022 appears a shimmering ruby red. The nose is redolent of crisp, red berry fruit, such as redcurrant and pomegranate, infused with delicate floral essences. The entry is immediately enfolding on the palate, where ripe, supple tannins perfectly complement a crisp, vibrant mid-palate, continuing through to a full-flavored, near-endless finish.”
This highly acclaimed release was rated 96 points by both James Suckling and Jeb Dunnuck, 94 points by Wine Advocate, 93 by Vinous and Decanter, and 92 by Wine Spectator.
Decanter wrote, “Needless to say, it needs time”. In his 96 point review Jeb Dunnuck wrote in February 2026, “It should age effortlessly for decades. Drink 2027-2057”. Wine Advocate said, “Luce della Vite remains a polished and crowd-pleasing classic.”
“Hauntingly dark”, inky black purple garnet colored, full bodied, brooding, tightly structured, concentrated, Suckling mentions it’s “huge extraction”, complex bramble balsamic blackberry and black plum fruits, notes of graphite, nutmeg, dark earthy cedar, sweet clove spice with firm gritty tannins on the “stern, assertive finish”.
RM 95 points.
