2005 Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Late fall is braising weather, and ruby Chateauneuf-du-Papes go well with the season’s roast pork loins and rustic braised meats. The Armenier family, which owns Domaine de Marcoux, can trace its vine-growing roots to the 14th century.

Today the estate, which has been biodynamic since 1990, is run by two sisters, Catherine and Sofie Armenier. In 2005, they made a stunning Chateauneuf-du-Pape that’s 80% Grenache, with Syrah making up the rest of the blend. Rich in the flavors of blackberries, boysenberries and sweet spices, the 2005 has a perfume so expressive and sociable, it practically jumps out of the glass. Although young, it’s drinking beautifully now, just in time for the holiday table. You could also give it as a gift, or exercise discipline and put it away for a decade or more before popping the cork.

--S. Irene Virbila

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Quick swirl

Region: Rhone Valley

Price: $47 to $55

Style: Rich and expressive

Food it goes with: Roasts and braised meats

Where you find it: John & Pete’s Fine Wines & Spirits in West Hollywood, (310) 657-3080, www.johnandpetes .com; Vins Rare in Thousand Oaks, (818) 500-8840, www.vinsrare.com; Wine Exchange in Orange (714) 974-1454 and (800) 769-4639, www.winex.com; and the Wine House in West Los Angeles (310) 479-3731, www .winehouse.com.