A bold yet elegant expression of the McLaren Vale, the 2018 Laughing Magpie is a masterfully crafted Shiraz-Viognier blend that balances power with perfume. A tribute to the Rhône Valley tradition, it layers deep blackberries and dark plum fruit from Shiraz with floral lift and stone fruit nuances from a small portion of co-fermented Viognier. Aromatic, spicy, and richly textured, it reveals ginger, apricot, and meaty undertones beneath its ripe fruit core. With fine-grained tannins and great aging potential, this is one of d’Arenberg’s modern classics—charming now, yet built to evolve gracefully over the next decade.

James Suckling | JS 93
Published: Oct 6, 2022

One of the modern classics for d’Arenberg, this is fermented with a high proportion of lightly pressed viognier skins and then has shiraz added late in the elevate to tone the viognier influence into balance. The aromas are fresh, richly spicy and lead by exuberantly ripe blackberries and dark plums with toasted spices and meaty elements. The palate has such richness and exotic, powerful tannins carry ripe dark plums and berries long and deep. Impressive depth and composure. Drink over the next decade. Screw cap.

Darenberg.com.au

An enticing mix of primary fruit characters entwined with flowers, ginger and stone fruit.

Tasting Note 2018
A classic northern Rhône blend, Shiraz with a little touch of Viognier. Very perfumed, black and red berries. A vibrant concoction. the Shiraz brings black fruits, plums, black cherries, and the small parcel of co-fermented Viognier brings stone fruits like peach and a touch of apricot. This makes for a very savoury and harmonious bond between the two varieties. This is certainly a wine that will benefit from careful cellaring for many years to come.

Winemaking
Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and then transferred to open fermenters, where the Viognier and Shiraz are co-fermented. Foot treading is undertaken two thirds of the way through fermentation, the wine is basket pressed and transferred to a mixture of old French and American oak to complete fermentation and mature. The barrel ferments are aged on lees, there is no racking until final blending and no fining or filtration.

Behind the name
The Kookaburra is a native Australian bird famous for its distinctive laughing call, Chester's young daughters named them 'Laughing Magpies'. The Magpie plumage is black with a stripe of white feathers, representing McLaren Vale's first ever blend combining the (black) Shiraz and its white partner, Viognier.

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screw Cap
Harvest/Vintage: 2018; harvested 12 February – 12 April
Oak: Matured for 10 months in neutral/old French oak barrels
Varietals: 95% Shiraz, 5% Viognier
Farming/Vineyard: Selected vineyards in McLaren Vale, South Australia. The 2018 growing season began with a wet winter, followed by dry conditions and warmer temperatures during February and March, resulting in a relatively quick ripening period
Winemaking: Shiraz and Viognier are co-fermented in small batches in open fermenters. Foot-trodden two-thirds of the way through fermentation, then basket-pressed and transferred to old French oak barrels to complete fermentation and mature on lees. No racking until final blending; neither fined nor filtered
Winemaker/Producer: Chester Osborn / d’Arenberg
Region/Appellation: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Classification: McLaren Vale GI

Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
Decanting: Decant for approximately 30–60 minutes before serving.
Food Pairing: Grilled lamb, roast beef, venison, barbecue meats, duck, charcuterie and mature hard cheeses.