2022 Longview Macclesfield Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaide Hills

Medium-full red with a trace of purple; cedary, pencil shavings oak aromas, starting to soften off with development. Cassis as well. The palate is very drying with abundant powdery tannins and there is a good depth of flavour which persists well. A highly structured cabernet which comes out of its shell with time in the glass and promises to reward cellaring. Drink 2026 to 2037.

94 Points Huon Hooke for The Real Review, February 2025

This sits nicely in that luncheon claret zone, a genial place where tannin resets the palate, acidity is perky and lifts the darker, brooding cassis fruit characters, and wild herbs, violet floral characters and woody spices come and play. This does all of that, set in a compact frame, almost feeling lightweight with its gossamer texture and general vitality, but the concentration is of course all there. A refreshing red, in some respects, though there's also a sense of elegance and refinement. It does a lot of things well and is generally delicious. Drink 2024 to 2033.

93 points Mike Bennie for Halliday Wine Companion, August 2024

The Saturno family has been at the helm of Longview Vineyard since 2007, building on the estate's reputation as one of the Adelaide Hills' most awarded single vineyard producers. The Macclesfield represents the top of the estate's Cabernet offer. The best parcels from the gravelly north facing slopes are used, with focus on fruit that is suitable for long term aging.

The 2022 growing season was long and even in the Adelaide Hills, delivering excellent fruit development and natural acidity despite lower yields. Fruit was crushed and de-stemmed into open fermenters, with pump overs twice daily. Pressed, settled, and racked to predominantly seasoned French oak puncheons for 15 months maturation.

The result is a Cabernet of real composure and elegance. Cedar, pencil shavings and cassis on the nose, with violets, dark fruit and a thread of wild herbs adding depth and interest. The palate is concentrated yet refined. Fine, powdery tannins framing a core of dark fruit that builds steadily through to a long, structured finish.

Give it plenty of air to allow the wine to reveal its full character. This would sit well with roast beef and lighter game.