This is not the first time this virtual winery, Nyarai, has found a wine onto the shelves of Vintages; a few months ago the baby brother of this bottling graced their shelves. Now with 13 months of oaking and blending 33% Cabernet Franc with 27% of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and a liberal dash of Syrah (13%), the wine shows again that Nyarai is not only about its flagship white (Sauvignon Blanc). The nose does enough to pull you in, but its on the palate where this one pulls it off. A nice dark fruit mixture that blends with tobacco and spices then throws in hints of cocoa and licorice all-sorts. Price: $24.95 – Rating: ****+