The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–10 years from vintage release, where it balances vibrant primary fruit with developing savory complexity.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, slow-cooked beef cheek
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The Laughing Magpie is a classic McLaren Vale Shiraz Viognier, showcasing d'Arenberg's signature blend of traditional winemaking and whimsical storytelling. The wine's name is inspired by the native Australian kookaburras nesting around the vineyards, whose striking black and white plumage led winemaker Chester Osborn's daughters to dub them 'laughing magpies'—a perfect metaphor for this blend of the dark, robust Shiraz and the pale, aromatic Viognier. The grapes are co-fermented, a technique borrowed from the Northern Rhône, where the small addition of Viognier stabilizes the deep color of the Shiraz and coaxes out exotic floral aromas. True to d'Arenberg's heritage, the grapes are gently crushed in basket presses and foot-trodden, resulting in a rich, textured palate with dark fruit, spice, and a subtle apricot lift.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1912 by Joseph Osborn in the heart of McLaren Vale, South Australia, d'Arenberg is a historic, family-owned winery currently guided by fourth-generation winemaker Chester Osborn. Renowned for its traditional, hands-on approach, the estate utilizes very old basket presses and practices foot-treading for all its red wines, maintaining a steadfast commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture. The winery is celebrated for its highly characterful, complex wines with distinctive, quirky names, most notably its flagship 'The Dead Arm' Shiraz, alongside exceptional Grenache and Rhône-style blends. Today, the estate seamlessly blends its rich heritage with avant-garde innovation, epitomized by the iconic d'Arenberg Cube visitor center rising above the ancient vines.