This blend of mostly Shiraz with a tiny bit of Viognier is one that has peeked the interest of many of our customers. The blend finds its most well-know expression in the powerful wines of the Côte-Rôtie (the Roasted Slope) in France’s northern Rhône . Wines from the region certainly aren’t inexpensive – but with the Australian discovery of the McLaren Vale as a perfect second-home for Rhône grapes, we’ve got sexy, jammy options that won’t break the bank. Our first foray into Aussie blends of this sort was the wildly popular Innocent Bystander – which flew off the shelves. We’ve promised many of you that we would find another wine that combines the beautiful black fruit profile of Shiraz with the nutty, floral qualities and silky texture a touch of Viognier adds to the mix. Our search lead us straight to d’Arenberg – one our favorite Australian producers. As with all things d’Arenberg , there’s a story behind the name. Winemaker Chester d’Arenberg tells it like this:

“The vineyards and bushland that surround the d’Arenberg winery are home to a unique native Australian bird, the Kookaburra, famous for its distinctive laughing call. Winemaker Chester Osborn’s daughters named their two wild pet Kookaburras the “Laughing Magpies.” The Magpie plumage is black with a stripe of white feathers and bears no resemblance to its famous cousin, but the name has stuck as it is the perfect choice for McLaren Vale’s first ever Shiraz (black)/ Viognier (white) blend.

The wine has a dark, saturated appearance with a violet-crimson hue. Maraschino cherries, spiced fruit peel, ginger and apricot stones are apparent on the nose, with black tea, olive and tarry notes appearing as the wine opens up. The palate is soft and generous, showing juicy flavors of blueberries, ribena, cherries and dark chocolate. Tea-like tannins are abundant and combine with defined acidity to provide structure and length. The long, refined finish reveals this wine’s aging potential. ”

d’Arenberg’s wines have quite a few qualities that I admire. They all have an especially large “bang-for-the-buck” quotient, at every price point. For under thirty bucks, you’re looking at 6 to 8 years or more of great development in the Magpie.

This is a small-production wine that receives tremendous praise from the wine press. Quantities are limited. If you’d like a bottle or two set aside, shoot us an e-mail or give us a ring at the shop.

d’Arenberg Laughing Magpie Shiraz/Viognier, McLaren Vale, Australia, 2006

$29.25/Bottle $315/Case