The laughing magpie Shiraz Viognier 2018  McLaren Vale, Shiraz (95%) Viognier (5%)  The Name  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.  The Vintage  Quite a wet winter with July, August and  September being way above average in  rainfall. October, November and December  were a little below average and January,  February and March were more or less  bone dry. Temperatures were mild until  late January, so vines seemed to be delayed  and harvest appeared like it was again going  to be late. However, a few hot days and  nights brought the ripening forward with  slight sacrifice of acidity. The above average  temperatures of February and March and  the dryness made everything ripen relatively  quickly. Yields appeared on the lighter  side, because the heat and dry conditions  did reduce them significantly, however  they were still quite respectable across all  varieties.  Harvest dates  Residual sugar  12 Feb - 12 Apr  1.5 g/l  The Winemaking  Small batches of grapes are gently crushed  and then transferred to open fermenters,  where the Viognier and Shiraz are  co-fermented. Foot treading is undertaken  two thirds of the way through fermentation,  the wine is basket pressed and transferred  to old French oak to complete fermentation  and mature. The barrel ferments are aged on  lees, there is no racking until final blending  and no fining or filtration.  The Characteristics  A classic northern Rhone blend, Shiraz with  a little touch of Viognier. Very perfumed,  black and red berries. A vibrant concoction.  the Shiraz brings black fruits, plums,  black cherries, and the small parcel of co fermented Viognier brings stone fruits like  peach and a touch of apricot. This makes  for a very savoury and harmonious bond  between the two varieties. This is certainly a  wine that will benefit from careful cellaring  for many years to come