$10.75 at the Colio retail outlet. Screwcap closure. This is from Colio's new "Lake & River Series". A blend of 62.5% Cabernet Franc, 12.5% Shiraz, 12.5% Merlot, and 12.5% Cab Sauvignon; it spent one year in oak.
12.5% alc./vol. A clear scarlet-ruby hue of medium intensity. Pleasantly vibrant, fruity nose, with Shiraz pepper dominating otherwise nondescript aromas. Tart on the entry. Dry and acid-driven texture; light-to-medium bodied, with strong acidity and good tannins. Brisk on the mid-palate; very palate-cleansing. Not much breadth, though it's very lively. Some oak spice comes in only towards the finish. Cleansing. A good wine to serve with fatty foods... I can see this pairing well with ribs. An interesting, unconventional blend from a new product line by Colio.
I would be pleased to try the 2010 version of this wine when it comes out: so far, this year is proving to be an excellent year. 2008, by contrast, was cool and wet.
There is also an oaked Baco Noir under the Lake & River series. That might be a revived version of the former "Harrow Estates" label, for all I know. Carlo Negri made some truly wonderful oaked Baco and Foch in the late 90's and early part of the new millennium under the "Harrow Estates" label.