A handful of terrific values lead the way in this month’s reviews, including a Spanish Monastrell and a Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza, Argentina.

Folonari Pinot Grigio 2017 – Veneto, Italy ($13.95)
Subtle melon, lime, lemongrass and no shortage of minerality here. The edges are a bit rough, though, as is the finish—as though I’m tasting it out of the tank two months before bottling. 85.5

 

Argento Selección Chardonnay 2017 – Mendoza, Argentina ($11.10)
This one is going to please a lot of people. An aromatic buttery oak nose is accompanied with apple pie and merengue notes, but with a steely smooth medium-bodied dry finish and a hint of citric acid—not nearly the heavy oak palate I thought would follow. Great value. 88

 

Argento Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 – Mendoza, Argentina ($14.40)
High-altitude grapes from the winery’s oldest vineyards. Six to nine months of French oak, moderate tannins, blueberry, black plum and cherry—but they’re really almost background fruit, wrapped as they are in black licorice, cedar and spice. Bottle aging has melded it all together in this robust Cabernet. Another super value from Argento. 88

 

Toro Bravo Tempranillo Merlot 2018 – Valencia, Spain ($7.95)
Ever smelled defrosting frozen black cherries? That’s the nose here in a nutshell. The length is decent, although it’s hardly a complex wine. Still, it’s a great pizza pairing, or as a good cooking red wine. Solid value here for the tiny price. 86.5

 

Three Thieves Chardonnay 2016 – California ($15.80)
I’m not sure this Chardonnay quite knows what it wants to be. Fresh cut oak, butterscotch and a little butter to the nose, but the flavour is tempered in orange rind and a bit metallic. Lovely body though. 86

 

Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2017 – Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, Australia ($24.95) (July 6 release)
A bit younger, sharper and more McLaren Vale-peppery than last year’s vintage. A teen with attitude that needs to settle down a tad. Olive, cherries, plum skin. It’s jammy, but the alcohol is a very steep 15.3% (the highest, I believe, ever for this wine, and more than a half-point above last year’s vintage). Decant, decant, decant. 88

 

Wakefield Estate Clare Valley Chardonnay 2017 – Clare Valley, Australia ($16.95) (July 20 release)
The flavour profile is a bit shallow to this dry, medium-bodied Chardonnay. A little nutty with citrus zest and underlying tropical fruit, wrapping up in a medium-length oaky citrus finish. A safe, solid, neutral Chardonnay. 87.5

 

Garzón Albariño Reserve 2018 – Garzón, Uruguay ($21.95) (July 6 release)
If you’re a fan of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, Albariño should be on your hit list—and this one has deservedly been racking up awards. A green-tinged pale yellow, it features three to six months of fermenting on the lees in stainless steel, providing it with a lovely midweight texture. At 14%, the alcohol is a bit high for a white, but it’s anything but obtrusive in the glass. Similarly, the acidity is immediately distinct, but is quickly enveloped by a tongue-coating body, with both a nose and palate of lemon zest, pineapple, green banana and underripe peach carrying the way. A great pairing for ceviche or Peruvian and Asian cuisine. 90

 

Garzón Tannat Reserve 2016 – Garzón, Uruguay ($21.95) (July 6 release)
Cement tank fermentation helps provide a juicy, mouthwatering center, with healthy tannins supporting the framework. The fruit is dark, with blueberries and blackberries, and an earthy minerality that gives it a sense of place (which, incidentally, is in southeastern Uruguay, 11 miles from the Atlantic Ocean). Pair with game meats like a fully garnished leg of lamb. 89

 

Goru Organic Monastrell 2017 – Jumilla, Spain ($13.95)
A weighty, juicy, balanced red that is way, way too sophisticated for the price! Mid- to full-bodied, it featured crushed violets, blueberries and blackberries, accompanied by wet forest herbs, light oak and peppery spices. Buy it by the case. 89.5