With an estimated fruit split as previous years, with 94% Shiraz and 6% Viognier and maturation in older oak.

d’Arenberg, The Laughing Magpie, Shiraz, Viognier, McLaren Vale, 2015

Porty raisin fruit elements to black fruits to dark chocolate with warm apricot tart notes (crust and fruit). Spicy, stalky herbal elements jut out at odd angles over ferrous cold blood. Full bodied with deep, earthy minerally tones to give grounding to black and purple berries. Tannins are understated yet feel like they’re restraining the fruit. Early days for this wine and I think best drinking is ahead.

RRP: $29
Alc: 14.5%
Rating:  16.75/20

Re-tasted 05/02/20:
Most above holds true, however now there’s an earthiness rather than the stalky herbal character to the nose. The fruit now slides like a glossy black/blue bruise, the tannins are still understated but the magpie has spread its wings to become the smooth hedonistic release it promised to be.  A tweak in the points.
Rating:  17/20

Wine sample courtesy of d’Arenberg