90  
Josh Cellars Chardonnay 2016
California $17.95 (561100) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of tropical fruit, pear and apple abound on this medium-weight, nicely textured, well-balanced beauty. It rolls over the palate with a creamy smooth wash of fruit flavour with nectarine, apple, racy grapefruit and lemon curd to the fore. The crisp, refreshing, mid-length finish is deftly balanced making it versatile at the table. Give it a go with chicken, roast pork or sea food. (Vic Harradine)

87  
Food Truck Wines ‘Big n’ Buttery” Chardonnay 2017
Australia $14.90 (545590) 13.5% alcohol
The ripe orchard fruit aromas on the nose give way to crisp lemon and racy lime on the palate, medium-bodied, well-textured and tang infused. Palate flavours replay on the lingering finish and aftertaste. It pairs well with pan-seared fish under a generous squeeze of fresh lemon or grilled, breaded calamari rings. (Vic Harradine)

86  
Canyon Road Chardonnay 2016
California $10.15 (552513) 13.0% alcohol
A subdued nose can be coaxed with vigorous swirls to give up aromas of citrus, mixed spice and floral notes. A lovely river of ripe apple and pear are joined by lemon pie-filling and grapefruit pith on the back palate and finish. This is a lighter-styled chardonnay that’s light-medium weight and softly textured with balanced aftertaste. Pour on its own as a sipper before dinner or pair with light seafood appetizers. (Vic Harradine)

90 
La Chasse Vacqueyras 2015
AOP Vacqueyras, France $19.95 (543868) 14.0% alcohol
The price-quality ratio skews well in your favour here. This is medium-full bodied and nicely balanced with good fruit flavour, structure, excellent acidity and a lengthy finish. A rich, luscious flow of fully textured, ripe, dark berry fruit—raspberry, cherry, currant—mingles with dark chocolate, spice, grilled herbs and dark coffee on the palate. These flavours replay on the lengthy aftertaste along with wisps of soft tannin. This is drinking well now and enhanced by a two-hour aeration/decant. Pour with grilled steak. (Vic Harradine)

86  
Dachshund Pinot Grigio 2017
Qualitätswein, Rheinhessen, Germany $12.10 (539536) 12.0% alcohol
Pit fruit and floral aromas on the nose make way for racy streak of citrus on the palate—white grapefruit and lemon-lime—interwoven with ripe pineapple and passionfruit flavours. There’s a grapefruit pith taste on the finish and aftertaste. This is mid weight and lightly textured with opportunities to pour well with sushi or mussels steamed in white wine. (Vic Harradine)

85 
Deinhard Riesling/Moscato 2017
Qualitätswein, Württemberg, Germany $12.95 (543975) 10.0% alcohol
Aromas of floral notes, minerality and spice introduce a palate-bathing, sweet flow of flavour—peach, white nectarine and lime cordial—that dominates this light-on-its-feet riesling/moscato blend. The finish and aftertaste are sweet-tinged and somewhat brief, but not many wines at this price. Pour on its own or with spicy Asian cuisine or a fruit flan. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2017 Sandbanks ‘Sleeping Giant’ Foch/Baco Noir has a limited-time offer of $2.00 off the price shown below, now to August 19, 2018. That makes this an ‘exceptional buy’ at $17.95 during that period. Stock up.

88  
Sandbanks ‘Sleeping Giant’ Foch/Baco Noir 2017
VQA Ontario $19.95 (164087) 12.8% alcohol 
Über-ripe dark fruit and raisin aromas abound on the nose of this tang-infused, red blend. A racy river of pie cherry and cranberry race over the palate and infuse the finish and aftertaste underpinned by soft subtle tannin. Aerate/decant a couple of hours before serving with meat-laden pizza with spicy tomato sauce or spaghetti Bolognese. (Vic Harradine)

88 
Artisan Wine ‘Fern Walk’ Sauvignon Blanc 2017
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (575639) 12.3% alcohol
This lighter-styled sauvignon blanc offers aromas of gassy notes, piquant spice and sprigs of mixed herbs. Flavours of sweet nectarine and ripe pear meet up with lemon curd and gooseberry tang on the palate replaying on the balanced finish. This is medium bodied with good mouthfeel and a clean, crisp, mouth-watering aftertaste. There’s good value here. (Vic Harradine)