2005 Domaine des Croix Beaune Les Bressandes

First foray with winemaker David Croix (who also makes the wines at Camille Giroud).  A bargain that can be purchased in the $50 range.  Impressive nose out of the gate that gets you ready for upfront fruit. Rich cherry balanced nicely with enough acidity to make this very food friendly.  Interesting mineral subtext with dash of sous bois.  If I were going to compare this to a Burgundian style wine from California, then I would say pinot noir from Joe Rochioli. Flavorful through and through,  yet not a terribly complex finish. Drinking very well now with the stuffing for another 10 years. I would buy more based on QPR, the quality of the fruit and the care that is evident in Messr Croix' style of winemaking. 
Paired delightfully with fried oysters (antipasti) and tagliatelle Bolognese  (primi).

'01 Clarendon Hills Old Vines Grenache Romas and '06 Muga Rioja Prado Enea Gran Reserva

Clarendon Hills' Romas cru represents one of the finest examples of Grenache from Australia,  IMO. Have enjoyed many different vintages of this wine over the years and it is consistently good. 
Robust black raspberry and kirsch with beautiful mocha espresso notes on the palate. Complex bouquet of lavender and sous bois. Lengthy finish that captivates.  Aged in 30% new French oak that has integrated seamlessly.  

This was my first foray with the Muga Prado Enea bottling,  and frankly it was somewhat of an underwhelming experience. Quite thin in body without much elegance. Perhaps too young at this stage? 70% Tempranillo,  20% Garnacha, with dollops of Mazuelo and Graciano. Light-bodied cherry fruit with accents of smoke, leather and pepper. 

'03 Guigal Hermitage Blanc, '04 Barroche CdP Pure, '06 Agharta

Nice evening of Rhone blend wines. 

'03 Guigal Hermitage Blanc 
I don't get a chance to drink many white Hermitage wines so this was a treat. Beautiful orange marmalade, nice streak of subtle minerality... attractive petrol accents on honeyed floral nose. Sourced from Les Rocoules, Les Beaumes and Les Murets. Sort of reminded me a bit of the great Friulian wines made from Ribolla Gialla. Loved this wine.

'04 Barroche CdP Pure 
Quite an interesting wine. The flagship cuvee from Julien Barrot. Sourced from old vine Grenache (100 year old vines) .  Very well balanced raspberry palate with a fascinating, almost slate-like, vein of minerality that keeps you coming back again and again. Fine-grained dusty tannins, hints of creosote. Sort of missing the killer garrigue component that I find so alluring in CdP's from the La Crau lieux-dits. This was a fascinating wine with great complexity and lengthy finish. I really liked this wine as representative of a higher-end CdP. But my favorite as of late has been the '04 Marcoux Vielles Vignes for its incredible balance and transparency to La Crau terroir.

'06 Agharta 
Blended from various North Coast vineyards in California.  84% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 2% Viognier.  Lovely blackberry jam with spice, anise and forest floor notes.  As with all Pax Mahle wines, there is a striking purity in the expression of fruit. Aged 52 months in 70% oak and 30% stainless steel. Still young, the only noticeable shortcoming at this juncture is a somewhat clipped finish.