Nugan Estate Stompers Cabernet Sauvignon

Nugan Estate Stompers Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia, bottled at 14% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2023 vintage earned a Double Gold medal at the China Wine & Spirits Awards (CWSA), and the wine has scored 90 points from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Riverina, New South Wales, Australia  |  100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Nugan Estate

Production & Heritage

Nugan Estate is a family-owned wine producer based in the Riverina, one of New South Wales' most productive winemaking regions. The Stompers expression is part of the estate's Personality Series, a range inspired by the culture and history developed through generations at the property. Grapes are grown with minimal cropping levels to concentrate flavor, then fermented in small static fermenters before pressing into a combination of French and American oak barrels for 12 months of maturation. This dual-oak regime contributes both structure and aromatic complexity to the finished wine.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated blackberry and cassis, underscored by graphite and mint. Secondary layers of milk chocolate, allspice, and a distinctive lavender topnote emerge as the wine breathes.

Taste: Dense yet lively on the palate, with intense blackcurrant and plum flavors that deepen and sweeten with air. Pronounced ripe fruit and spice carry through the mid-palate, joined by plump red and black berry notes, menthol, eucalyptus, and subtle cedar. Soft, supple tannins integrate seamlessly with restrained oak influence.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering dark fruit and a gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak aging. The tannin structure remains polished and resolved through the close.

How to Drink Stompers Cabernet

This Cabernet is best enjoyed at cellar temperature, around 16–18°C, in a large-bowled glass that allows the aromatic complexity to open fully. Decanting for 20–30 minutes benefits younger vintages. For cocktail and mixed-drink applications, the dense fruit profile works well in a Cabernet Sangria built with brandy and seasonal stone fruits; a Kalimotxo, where the wine's ripe tannins balance cola's sweetness; or a Red Wine Spritzer, where soda water lifts the blackcurrant and mint aromatics into a refreshing warm-weather serve.

Best For

• Pairing with a weekend barbecue of grilled lamb or beef
• Introducing Australian Cabernet Sauvignon to wine-curious friends
• Stocking a reliable mid-week red at a strong value tier
• Gifting a wine enthusiast an award-winning Riverina expression

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stompers Cabernet taste like? It delivers intense blackcurrant, plum, and dark berry flavors supported by soft tannins and subtle oak spice. Secondary notes of eucalyptus, menthol, and milk chocolate add aromatic dimension.

How does Stompers Cabernet compare to other Riverina Cabernet Sauvignons? It sits as the third most expensive Cabernet Sauvignon produced in the Riverina, positioned above everyday drinking wines from the region. The 12-month French and American oak aging and low-cropping vineyard management give it a level of concentration and structure that exceeds many Riverina Cabernets at lower price points.

Is Stompers Cabernet good for sipping on its own? Yes — the wine's balanced tannin structure, layered dark fruit, and integrated oak make it well-suited to drinking neat, particularly when served slightly below room temperature with a brief decant.

Where is Stompers Cabernet made? It is produced by Nugan Estate in the Riverina wine region of New South Wales, Australia. The Riverina is an irrigated inland region known for producing generous, fruit-forward wines.

What foods pair well with Stompers Cabernet? Grilled lamb chops, where the wine's cassis and mint echo classic lamb accompaniments; slow-braised beef short ribs, which mirror the wine's density; hard aged cheeses like cheddar or Manchego that complement the tannin structure; chargrilled eggplant and capsicum for a vegetarian option; and dark chocolate desserts that harmonize with the wine's cocoa undertones.

What sizes does Stompers Cabernet come in? The standard bottling is a 750ml format.

Is Stompers Cabernet worth the price? It positions as a premium expression within the Riverina category, offering 12 months of oak maturation and low-yield fruit at a price point that remains accessible. Multiple international awards, including a Double Gold at the CWSA and 90 points from Stephen Tanzer, reinforce strong value for money at this tier.

Why Stompers Cabernet?

What distinguishes this wine is the combination of small-batch static fermentation and dual French-American oak aging — a production approach that demands more attention than large-scale Riverina winemaking typically allows. The result has been validated internationally, with the 2023 vintage taking Double Gold at the CWSA and the 2022 vintage earning Gold at the Women's Wine & Spirit Awards. For drinkers seeking a concentrated, oak-structured Australian Cabernet Sauvignon without the premium pricing of Coonawarra or Margaret River bottlings, the Stompers expression delivers genuine depth from an underappreciated region.