2008 D'Arenberg Laughing Magpie Shiraz-Viognier

Wine Advocate
"91 pts ... It is deep crimson-colored with an alluring bouquet of cedar, lilacs, Asian spices, black cherry, and blueberry. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and layered with savory fruit. Nicely balanced, it will evolve for 2-3 years and drink well through 2020." --12/09

Stephen Tanzer
"90 pts ... Inky purple. High-pitched dark berry and floral aromas are complicated by notes of black pepper and woodsmoke. Pliant, palate-coating dark fruit flavors are framed by velvety tannins, picking up a note of licorice on the back half. Surprisingly brisk, even taut, on the finish, which leaves spice and floral notes behind. This benefits quite a bit from aeration."--07/10

Winemaker's Notes
"The wine is robust and concentrated with great intensity. The expressive palate reveals touches of raspberry, plum, blackcurrant and blueberry with underlying spice and just a hint of savory oak. The mineral silky tannins build nicely on the palate and provide good structure and impressive length."

Technical Notes
"94% Shiraz/6% Viognier. Very concentrated Shiraz and Viognier were gently crushed then co-fermented together in traditional, headed down open fermenters where the traditional foot-treading in waderclad feet takes place. After about 2 weeks the must was then gently basket pressed and transferred into American and French oak barriques for maturation. At 10 months, declassified Dead Arm is blended to balance the level of Viognier in the final blend. 14.5% alc."