The Laughing Magpie fékk feykilega góða dóma í íslensku pressunni þegar það kom fyrst á markaðinn.
Alls staðar fullt hús.
Það var 2003 árgangurinn. Nú er 2005 árgangur kominn í hillurnar og gefur hann ekkert eftir. Robert Parker gefur 2003 árganginum 90 stig en 2005 árganginum gefur hann þremur stigum meira, 93 stig, þannig að ef eitthvað er þá ….
Við höfum líka fengið eitthvað af The Dead Arm 2004 en því gefur Parker 95 stig.
Þetta hefur Parker að segja um vínin tvö:
“Year in and year out, one of the most exotic, flamboyant, and sexiest cuvees in the d’Arenberg portfolio is The Laughing Magpie Shiraz/Viognier. The 2005 exhibits a spring flower garden-like character interwoven with blackberries, creme de cassis, melted licorice, and sweet, toasty new oak. Opulent and voluptuous, with silky tannin, and a plump, fleshy, rich, full-bodied personality, this offering is meant to be consumed over the next 5-8 years
The renowned 2004 Shiraz The Dead Arm, fashioned from ancient head-pruned vines, is stunning. An inky/purple color is accompanied by a glorious perfume of creosote/melted road tar, blackberry and cassis liqueur, pepper, and spice. This deep, rich, full-bodied, tannic Shiraz should be drinkable in 2-3 years, and will last for two decades or more. It is the finest Dead Arm since the 2001.” (erobertparker.com)
