Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot Cabernet Franc 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: More mocha wrapped in succulent black fruit than other vintages. Full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and superbly rendered. What an amazing wine! Drink: 2014-2022. 626325 13.50% XD 750 mL  $59.95 Score: 93/100. April 30, 2011 Favourite Red Wine. Full Review

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Burrowing Owl Vineyards Meritage 2008, VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada: Simply stunning! Lashings of black plums and cassis fill your senses, followed by fleshy ripe blackberry and blackcurrant. Layers of hedonistic pleasure with a smoke-infused finish. Terrific balance, structure and complexity. Needs cellar time. Drink: 2014-2020. 688229007088 14.90% D 750 mL  $59.95 Score: 95/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Painted Rock Estate Winery Red Icon Cabernet Blend 2008, Okanagan Valley, BC V.Q.A., Canada: A gorgeously rich nose of fleshy dark fruit, violets and cedar smoke. Elegant with lifted mid-palate flavours, then a clean, long finish that leaves you wanting more. Full-bodied, but not heavy. This wine was aged for 18 months in new French oak. Surely one of Canada's best producers. Drink: 2011-2021. 284190 14.30% XD 750 mL  $85.00 Score: 95/100. January 3, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Totally Botrytis Affected Optima 2009, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia B.C. V.Q.A., Canada: An opulent homage to after-dinner relaxation. Redolent of ripe apricot and muscat aromas, this richly layered dessert wine will make visions of sugarplums dance in your head. Extraordinary craftsmanship! Drink: 2011-2023. 390328 14% XD 375 mL  $120.00 Score: 92/100. August 5, 2011 Top Rated Dessert Wine. Full Review

Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2007, V.Q.A., Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: Absolutely stunning! This winery leapfrogs itself every year, coming out of the gate with spectacular robust reds. Gorgeous depth of hedonitsically ripe blackberries and plums with a velvet texture and finish as long as the dessert sunset where it's made. 230094 14% XD 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 93/100. July 23, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Tantalus Vineyards Single Vineyard Riesling 2010, VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada: A cracking great Riesling, with come-alive lime zest and lemon aromas. Spectacularly juicy and mouth-watering with a finish of Granny Smith apple. Taste and see what BC is capable of when it comes to vibrant Riesling! Drink: 2011-2018. 626990067412 12.20% M 750 mL  $22.90 Score: 92/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Painted Rock Estate Winery Red Icon Named Varietal Blends-Red 2009, Okanagan Valley, B.C. V.Q.A., Canada: This is a spectacular blend of Bordeaux grapes: 30% merlot, 29% cabernet franc, 25% cabernet sauvignon, 15% petit sirah, 1% syrah. A heavy-hitter that gets more refined every year. This vintage has the caged power of a tiger stalking back and forth behind bars... decant it and you'll taste that gorgeously savage energy and concentration. Loaded with dark fruit and toasty oak. This wine spent 18 months in 95% new French oak. Unleash your inner tiger and slake more than your thirst with this wine. Drink: 2012-2022. 284190 14.30% XD 750 mL  $85.00 Score: 97/100. October 31, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Totally Botrytis Affected Optima 2010, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada: Divine! A heavenly elixir of Garden of Eden peaches and apricots and clementines. Sinfully great. Drink: 2012-2022. 390328 10% S 375 mL  $120.00 Score: 93/100. June 22, 2012 Top Rated Dessert Wine. Divine Dessert Wine Full Review

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2009, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada: Lovely and juicy with fleshy cherry aromas and flavours. Supple and smooth. Medium- to full-bodied. Absolutely delicious! Drink: 2012-2018. 556613 13% XD 750 mL  $39.95 Score: 90/100. June 22, 2012 Full Review

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Rosé 2011, V.Q.A., Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: Full-bodied for rose but medium in the grand wine scheme of things. Delightfully flavourful with aromas of field raspberries and some nutmeg. The most un-boring rose I've tasted. I'm getting a case. Drink: 2012-2014. 275842 13% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. June 23, 2012 Top Rated Rosé. Full Review

Road 13 Vineyards Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2011, VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada: Made from grapes grown on 43-year-old vines which gives this wine a lovely concentration and depth of flavour without being heavy. Gorgeous apple and dry honey notes. Good acidity for food. Drink: 2012-2015. 450890 12.50% XD 750 mL  $24.00 Score: 90/100. July 30, 2012 Full Review

Sandhill Winery Small Lots One Phantom Creek Vineyard Blend - Meritage 2008, V.Q.A., Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: Mocha, espresso and smoke on the nose followed by fleshy dark plums and a lovely, full-bodied weight and smooth texture. Balanced, complex and elegant with a long finish. Great dinner party wine. Drink: 2012-2017. 186536 14.90% XD 750 mL  $36.95 Score: 92/100. August 4, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Petales D'osoyoos 2009, Vqa, Okanagan Valley, Bc, Canada: Towering wine with massive and complex structure: needs cellar time. Big black fruit, toasty oak and tannic grip. Decant 2 hours. Drink: 2014-2018. 276241 13.50% XD 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 90/100. July 30, 2012 Full Review

La Crema Chardonnay 2010, Sonoma Coast, California, United States: Classic Californian Chardonnay with toast, oak and green apple. Full-bodied, and generously layered. Drink: 2012-2015. 728352 13.90% D 375 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. August 4, 2012 Full Review