Savory Pot Roast

1 boneless chuck-eye roast (about 3 1/2 pounds)
salt and ground pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped medium
1 small carrot, chopped medium
1 small celery rib, chopped medium
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons sugar
2 cups beef broth
1 sprig fresh thyme
water
1/4 cup dry red wine

Adjust oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to
300F. Sprinkle the roast generously with salt and pepper. Heat the
oil in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high until shimmering
but not smoking. Brown the roast thoroughly on all sides, reducing
the heat if the fat begins to smoke, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the
roast to a large plate; set aside.

Reduce the heat to medium; add the onion, carrot and celery to the
pot and cook, stirring occasionally until beginning to brown, 6-8
minutes. Add the garlic and sugar; cook until fragrant, about 30
seconds. Add the beef broth and thyme, scraping the pan bottom with
a wooden spoon to loosen the browned bits. Return the roast and any
accumulated juices on the plate to the pot; add enough water to come
halfway up the sides of the roast. Cover with a lid, bring the liquid
to a simmer over medium heat, and transfer the pot to the oven. Cook,
turning the roast every 45 minutes until fully tender and a meat fork
or sharp knife slips easily in and out of the meat, 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

Transfer the roast to a carving board; tent with foil to keep warm.
Allow the liquid to settle about 5 minutes then use a wide spoon to
skim off the fat from the surface and discard the thyme sprig. Boil
over high heat until it is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 8 minutes.
Add the wine and reduce to 1 1/2 cups, about 2 minutes. Season with
salt and pepper to taste. Cut up the meat and pour sauce over all.