Longview Saturnus Nebbiolo 2020

Always one of this country’s most popular Nebbs, the fruit is carefully selected from estate vineyards. Clones 230 and Mudgee (love that we have an Aussie town as the name for a Nebb clone), and a little of 1-11 (which enhances the fragrance). The vineyards are nearly 30 years old now, impressive for a local Nebb vineyard. Hand sorting, traditional vinification, around five weeks on skins and maturation in a 1,500 litre Slovenian botti (very large old cask). The colour here is a pale garnet. The nose offers pleasing, and rather classic notes of red fruits, florals, warm earth and tar topped by raspberries, animal skins, cloves and leather. There is good acidity here and firm tannins, providing some serious grip. With impressive length, this is a fresh, youthful, attractive Nebb; juicy and enjoyable now, but which will cellar very well for at least six to ten years in a good cellar. One of the better Nebbs found outside Piedmont and perfect with beef cheeks.