d'Arenberg

The Laughing Magpie McLaren Vale Shiraz Viognier

8.9357 ratings
8.943 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
Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

8.8

Getting better integrated with some bottle age.

Getting better integrated with some bottle age.

Jan 9th, 2021
Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

8.5

A little disappointing. Initial nose is spectacular w lifted fruit, spicy plum skin, star anise. Palate is a bit peaky and offers in mouth aroma of crushed chewable vitamins I associate w acidification. Balance seemed off on this bottle.

A little disappointing. Initial nose is spectacular w lifted fruit, spicy plum skin, star anise. Palate is a bit peaky and offers in mouth aroma of crushed chewable vitamins I associate w acidification. Balance seemed off on this bottle.

Sep 3rd, 2020
Tobin Trevarthen

This guy still packed a big punch. Sharp blueberry notes, soften by the floral nature of the Viognier. Pungent nose.

This guy still packed a big punch. Sharp blueberry notes, soften by the floral nature of the Viognier. Pungent nose.

Feb 28th, 2020
MaJ CappS

Wow! Another stunner that held together insanely well? And was agreed around the table could go for quite a while. Spicy eucalyptus, pine, with a strong structure that included non sulphured/sugared dried fruit leather, tabac, and Thai basil. Picture Keanu tasting this and saying “Whoa.”

Wow! Another stunner that held together insanely well? And was agreed around the table could go for quite a while. Spicy eucalyptus, pine, with a strong structure that included non sulphured/sugared dried fruit leather, tabac, and Thai basil. Picture Keanu tasting this and saying “Whoa.”

Mar 23rd, 2019
Emily Kresie-Harrington

2012 vintage. Great typicity and good structure. Blackberry, stewed black cherry, black plum, little bit of smokiness, dried herbs, dried violets, cedar, loamy dirt.

2012 vintage. Great typicity and good structure. Blackberry, stewed black cherry, black plum, little bit of smokiness, dried herbs, dried violets, cedar, loamy dirt.

Dec 30th, 2018
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
Tobin Trevarthen

A fun cellar pull. Still Big Berry profile 15 years later. Raspberry jam.

A fun cellar pull. Still Big Berry profile 15 years later. Raspberry jam.

Dec 25th, 2017
Andrew Stover

Sommelier/Wine Director Oya & Sei, Wine Blogger ChiefWino, Founder Vino50

9.0

2002 d'Arenberg 'Laughing Magpie' Shiraz Viognier, McLaren Vale, #Australiawine. Fragrant, violet petals amid blueberry jam plus blackberry, baking spice and wet stone. Soft and luscious with a lingering finish. Showing well but likely at the peak of its existence. #wine #sommelier #shiraz #australia

2002 d'Arenberg 'Laughing Magpie' Shiraz Viognier, McLaren Vale, #Australiawine. Fragrant, violet petals amid blueberry jam plus blackberry, baking spice and wet stone. Soft and luscious with a lingering finish. Showing well but likely at the peak of its existence. #wine #sommelier #shiraz #australia

3 people found it helpfulJan 5th, 2015
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