2005 Las Rocas de San Alejandro Vinas Viejas Garnacha

From one of the youngest viticultural regions in Spain, Calatayud (150 miles northeast of Madrid), comes this lush Garnacha. Produced by the local state-of-the-art cooperative San Alejandro, the 2005 Las Rocas Vinas Viejas (old vines) Garnacha is a custom bottling by respected wine importer Eric Solomon.

Vinas viejas, in this case, means really old -- 100-year-old-plus Garnacha vines grown at high altitude. Deep garnet with violet highlights, the 2005 Vinas Viejas tastes of dark cherries, blueberries and wild herbs. Tannins are ripe and smooth. This one goes down very easy -- as delicious as they come and a bargain at less than $20.

Pop the cork on this one for barbecued ribs, great burgers, grilled anything and Chinese braised pork in red sauce. Duck would be terrific too.

--S. Irene Virbila

Quick swirl

Region: Calatayud, Spain

Price: $15 to $18

Style: Smooth, easy-drinking.

Food it goes with: Barbecue, grilled lamb chops, burgers, roast duck.

Where you find it: John & Pete’s Fine Wines & Spirits in West Hollywood, (310) 657-3080; K&L; Wine Merchants in Hollywood, (323) 464-9463, www.klwines.com; L.A. Wine Co. in Marina del Rey, (310) 306-9463; Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454 and (800) 769-4639, www.winex.com; the Wine House in West L.A., (310) 479-3731, www.winehouse.com; and Woodland Hills Wine Co. in Woodland Hills, (818) 222-1111, www.whwc.com.