A tremendous expression of nebbiolo from now 30-year-old vines. This is distinctly lighter weight than some releases of Saturnus, but brings together innate delicacy of red fruit character, bright cherry, red plum and dry cranberry tang, with expressive swishes of bay leaf, green olive, fennel and licorice in tow. Sweet spices likewise adorn the wine, so too a kind of crushed-granite minerality. Tannins cinch things well, a little lighter than some years, but equally to the task of refreshment factor and shape. A finesse and understatement with this release.

For many, this is the cream of the crop of the Longview collection, and one of the country’s very best Nebbiolos. Their vineyard was planted back in 1995, and they use a range of clones. The juice is left on skins for twelve weeks before it is pressed for maturation, for a period of a year and a half, into older French oak puncheons and 2,500-litre Austrian Botti. Pale crimson with a fading brown rim, the nose reveals aromas weaving through truffles, strawberries, warm earth, dried herbs and florals. There is a gentle sappiness to the wine and hints of leaf litter emerge along the journey. There is both refinement and elegance here, with very good length. The wine maintains its balance throughout, with underlying intensity matching it. The wine concludes with a lingering finish with fine tannins. It will continue to drink impressively over the next twelve to fifteen years.