1) Annie's Lane SGM Copper Trail 2000
I tried this in Oz and loved it, so I grabbed a bottle in BC ($45 CAD).
Medium brick in color, the nose was full of the barmyard when first opened. This slowly blew off (but never totally disappeared) to show earthy, dusty cherries, pepper and a hint of menthol. This wine has powerful, rich, smooth flavours and texture. Mmmmmm... plums, blackberries, pine, pepper, barnyard, earth and bitter chocolate on the full bodied palate. A beautifully integrated, classy and complex Rhone blend. I love this wine! Excellent with *** for value here.
One caveat is that you may have to be a fan of the barnyard characteristic like me to love this wine as much as I do. It's not overwhelming, but it's there: I love it! I'm definitely buying more.
2) Pirramimma Old Bush Vines Grenache 2002
Again, I tried one in Oz, loved it, so bought it here ($34 CAD).
Deep ruby/purple in color, with a nose of plums, pencil shavings and a hint of black licorice. Earthy notes dominate on the smooth, concentrated yet elegant palate, with cherries, a floral note and dark chocolate all making a welcome appearance in this full bodied, slightly glycerine-textured wine. Not quite as outstanding as I remember in OZ, where I scored it an A-/A, but still a great grenache with a promising short to medium term future (A-). I think that equates to Excellent, with **** for value.