Nugan Estate Cookoothama Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005
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grapes were always a part of their production, but it was not until the third Australian generation of the family took the reins that the family name finally went on a bottle of wine.
All wines for the Nugan Estate range are sourced from select vineyards to produce premium wines for the domestic and export markets. The winemaking team are dedicated to producing premium wines from select vineyards in the King Valley, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, and locally in the Riverina.
Daren Owers, Chief Winemaker, has been with the winery since 2000. Daren began as a Lab Technician at Nugan Quality Foods. When Nugan diversified into winemaking Daren was appointed Assistant Winemaker for the first commercial vintage in 2000. He commenced a Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science) at Charles Sturt University. In 2003, Daren became Senior Winemaker and has achieved many accolades, such as Young Winemaker of the Year, awarded by the Australian Winemakers Society.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
A large, climatically diverse country with incredibly diverse terrain, producing just about every wine style imaginable, Australia has a grand winemaking history and some of the oldest vines on the planet. Both red wine and white wine from Australian are wildly popular and beloved. Most of Australia's wine regions are concentrated in the south of the country with those inland experiencing warm, dry conditions and those in coastal areas receiving tropical, maritime or Mediterranean weather patterns. Australia has for several decades been at the forefront of winemaking technology and has widely adopted the use of screwcaps, even for some premium and ultra-premium bottles. Thanks to the country’s relatively agreeable climate throughout and the openness of its people, experimentation is common and ongoing.
Shiraz is indeed Australia’s most celebrated and widely planted variety; Barossa Valley leads the way, producing exceptionally bold and supple versions. Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia's second most planted variety, can be blended with Shiraz but also shines on its own particularly in Coonawarra and Margaret River. Grenache and Mourvèdre are also popular, both on their own and alongside Shiraz in Rhône Blends. Chardonnay is common throughout the country and made in a wide range of styles. Sauvignon Blanc has recently surged in popularity to compete with New Zealand’s distinctive version and Semillon is often blended in Margaret River or shines on its own in the Hunter Valley. Riesling thrives in the cool-climate Clare and Eden Valleys. Sticky-sweet fortified wine Rutherglen is a beloved regional specialty of Victoria.