The 2013 has continued the run of picking up bling in Asian wine shows, this time the 2017 editions of the Korea Wine Challenge and the China Wine & Spirits Awards. 94% Shiraz, 6% Viognier. Mixture of old and new French and American oak.

d’Arenberg, The Laughing Magpie, Shiraz, Viognier, McLaren Vale, 2013

Earthier than the 2013, with moist beetroot chocolate cake, grilled stone fruit before hitting the McLaren Vale button with sweet raspberry, cardamom and black pepper spice. The light and shade is rightly balanced: Silky up front (maybe the alcohol is a touch higher than stated) with plenty of grunt supplied by gravelly tannins. A very good wine.

RRP: $29
Alc: 14.6%
Rating:  17/20

Wine sample courtesy of d’Arenberg