2003 Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Baron

A gorgeous Chateauneuf from one of the oldest estates in the appellation, the 2003 Cuvee du Baron from Chateau Fortia is the color of violet-red ink and has wonderful aromas of blackberries, plums and blossoms. It drinks like berries laced with dark chocolate. Equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, this dense, chewy wine is the best Chateauneuf the estate has made in years. A great bottle by any measure.

Uncork the Cuvee du Baron to drink with roasts and braises, with roast duck or squab. It can stand up to big, bold flavors but will show even better against something simple.

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Quick swirl

Region: Rhone Valley

Price: About $32

Style: Full-bodied and lush

Food it goes with: Roasts and braises, duck and squab

Where you find it: Bristol Farms; Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, (949) 650-8463; Mission Wines in South Pasadena, (626) 403-9463; Red Carpet Wine in Glendale, (818) 247-5544; Wally’s in West Los Angeles, (310) 475-0606; the Wine Club in Santa Ana, (714) 835-6485; Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454 and (800) 76WINEX; the Wine House in Los Angeles, (310) 479-3731.

-- S. Irene Virbila