d’Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2017

The addition of viognier to shiraz has been practiced for decades but it is only in relatively recent times that many winemakers have admitted to it. For big McLaren Vale shiraz styles you can clearly see the advantages, giving some softness and complexity to what would have, on the other hand, been a dense red.

Deeply coloured, The Laughing Magpie is still a ripe and generous McLaren Vale Shiraz – quite classic and hearty with liquorice, mulberry and blackberry fruits lifted by a dusting of earth and spice. On the palate it is rich and full-bodied – lashings of dark fruit sit over a bed of quite firm tannins that help to draw out its finish. It’s a crowd pleasing style that no doubt will have plenty of fans.

Angus Hughson

Founder at Winepilot

Angus is an award-winning wine writer and the Founder and Publisher of Winepilot, the Australian Editor for leading international publication VINOUS with Antonio Galloni based in New York City and the Co-Publisher of The Australian Ark with over 15 years of publishing, writing and judging experience.

Critic and publisher