The nomenclature not quite so self explanatory here as with other d’Arenberg wines.

“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.”

So this is actually a Kookaburra.

d’Arenberg, The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier, McLaren Vale, 2011

French and American oak for 10 months. Unfortunately it shows as a the first olfactory wave of coconut slice hits, then backed up by coppery, meaty and juxtaposed red fruited Shiraz. The apricot lift from the Viognier almost jammy. Upfront: darker fruited than expected and almost syrupy in structure. Then the okay tannins pervade and create an interesting red velvet texture. For sure this will have its fans, but not quite hitting the mark for me.

RRP: $29

Alc: 14.2%

Wine sample courtesy of d’Arenberg