d'Arenberg

The Laughing Magpie McLaren Vale Shiraz Viognier

8.8100 ratings
8.810 pro ratings
McLaren Vale, Fleurieu, South Australia, Australia
Viognier, Shiraz
Turkey, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Pork, Nuts & Seeds, Hard Cheese, Soft Cheese, Shellfish, Quinoa, Mushrooms, Chili & Hot Spicy, Fish, Herbs, Asian Cuisine, Veal, Potato, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Beef, Venison, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Lamb, Pasta, Salami & Prosciutto, Tomato-Based, Pungent Cheese
Top Notes For
Armin Pfleiderer

One of the great values among those of the tail-end of the Aussie wine heyday here in the US. All about the aroma here—black olive, plum, and sanguine gaminess explode on the nose. And all are present on the palate with a bit of dark chocolate and licorice with a nice pop of acidity that keeps it from being a heavy mess. The 14.6% alcohol takes a bit to blow off but your patience is rewarded.

One of the great values among those of the tail-end of the Aussie wine heyday here in the US. All about the aroma here—black olive, plum, and sanguine gaminess explode on the nose. And all are present on the palate with a bit of dark chocolate and licorice with a nice pop of acidity that keeps it from being a heavy mess. The 14.6% alcohol takes a bit to blow off but your patience is rewarded.

Jan 13th, 2018
Henrik Poulsen

92% Shiraz, 8% Viognier.
14.6% alc.

92% Shiraz, 8% Viognier.
14.6% alc.

2 people found it helpfulNov 23rd, 2014
Denis Roudenko

17/20 (93/100)

17/20 (93/100)

1 person found it helpfulJul 29th, 2014
Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

8.5

Bananna peel, plantanes, bbq sauce and berries.

Bananna peel, plantanes, bbq sauce and berries.

1 person found it helpfulJan 10th, 2014
Gregory Fulchiero

Strong cedar and clove nose, inky blue, Viognier must have tamed this Syrah, but absolutely nothing like a Cote Rotie despite the blend. Slightly overripe.

Strong cedar and clove nose, inky blue, Viognier must have tamed this Syrah, but absolutely nothing like a Cote Rotie despite the blend. Slightly overripe.

Sep 16th, 2016
Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

8.3

The first time I tasted this wine 6 weeks ago was at a large tasting and it had been double decanted. The second time tasting the wine was straight from bottle over three hours. The two were completely different. Straight from bottle was more of a classic #australian #shiraz , big, bold, chewy, and lacked balance. Whereas the double decanted bottle was more in the realm of #coterotie
#darenberg #laughingmagpie #mclarenvale #australia #syrah #viogner #ctbucklinwine

The first time I tasted this wine 6 weeks ago was at a large tasting and it had been double decanted. The second time tasting the wine was straight from bottle over three hours. The two were completely different. Straight from bottle was more of a classic #australian #shiraz , big, bold, chewy, and lacked balance. Whereas the double decanted bottle was more in the realm of #coterotie
#darenberg #laughingmagpie #mclarenvale #australia #syrah #viogner #ctbucklinwine

Sep 15th, 2016
Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

9.4

Absolutely delicious! The fruit was bold and dense and there were some wonderful secondary notes. The wine had great balance and fantastic length. #darenberg #syrah #viognier #mclarenvale #australia #greatvalue #ctbucklinwine

Absolutely delicious! The fruit was bold and dense and there were some wonderful secondary notes. The wine had great balance and fantastic length. #darenberg #syrah #viognier #mclarenvale #australia #greatvalue #ctbucklinwine

Aug 7th, 2016
Gregory Fulchiero

Outrageously good and good QPR - drinks like a young Cote Rotie or St Joseph

Outrageously good and good QPR - drinks like a young Cote Rotie or St Joseph

Feb 5th, 2016
Mike Fifer

Writer The Wine Monologues

8.8

Quite unique. Spice, dark dark berries, hint of tomato paste. Would be great with most barbecue sauces. #australia #shiraz #viognier

Quite unique. Spice, dark dark berries, hint of tomato paste. Would be great with most barbecue sauces. #australia #shiraz #viognier

Jan 22nd, 2015
Andrea Watt

Dark, violet, and blackberry, a touch of bitter for me.

Dark, violet, and blackberry, a touch of bitter for me.

Nov 23rd, 2017