WineCanine

The Cuvée de Peña 2005 is a Rhône-style blend from the southernmost part of France, the Pyrénées-Orientales department of Languedoc-Roussillon.

Blackberry and blueberry are on the nose, while the medium-bodied palate leans more towards black cherry and a little plum. It doesn't have much of the earthiness usually associated with French wines, nor any of the characteristic leather of its Spanish neighbor; it seems to be crafted for New World palates, easy to drink on its own or with food. At less than $10 a bottle, it could be a contender to be your new house wine — and if you do like it that well, you may want to forego bottles and opt instead for the three-liter box. (Yes, the label shot is of the 2004 vintage. The ’05 label looks just the same.)