It is time for another edition of “Random Samples”–I occasionally get samples from marketing agencies and/or producers. These can often be grouped together into some sort of over-arching theme: Drink Them and It Will Come, Summer is Here, So That Means (More) Rosé, If It Doesn’t Sparkle, It Doesn’t Matter.

Other times, I get just a bottle or two that do not have any apparent connection or link. Instead of holding on to those bottles until the “right” combination comes along, I decided to link all these “random” bottles together, making their own category (and, being the math geek that I am, “random sample” has a bit of a double entendre).

2021 Les Vignerons de Laudun Chusclan Eléments Sol, Côtes du Rhône Villages, France: Retail $20. Ridiculously Responsible Bottle (408g; 14.3oz). Agglomerated stopper. Grenache Noir, Carignan, Syrah, Mourvèdre. I don’t drink a ton of Côtes du Rhône because the appellation is a bit of a minefield; you really need to know the producers. Fairly dark in the glass with blackberry and plum, blanketed in black pepper and cardamom. The palate has reserved fruit, plenty of spice, and a nice tang, particularly on the finish. A classic C-d-R in almost every way. Very Good. 89 Points.

2022 Oberon Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA: Retail $20. Very Heavy Bottle (701g; 1lb 8.7oz). Synthetic stopper. First, what I don’t like. The bottle is way too heavy, the stopper is a stupid synthetic “cork” (just go screw cap–no one cares anymore), and there is a bit of a metallic aspect on the finish of which I am not a huge fan. That’s it. The rest is all positive. An affordable and tasty Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley should not be as rare as it seemingly is. And this is tasty. Bright and citrusy on the nose with both floral and mineral notes, this is much creamier and voluptuous than most SB due, no doubt, to the 14% barrel fermentation. There is a lot to like, even love, here, which far outweighs (pun intended) my dislikes. Excellent. 90 Points.

2021 Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA: Retail $25. Responsible Bottle (562g; 1lb 3.8oz). 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. I have had my fair share of wines from Paso, but few have been Cabernets. Why? Good question. Maybe the kind folk that have hosted me on the handful of times I have been there wanted to showcase the other varieties that fare quite well in the region. Or (and?) they realized that Cab Sauv might not be the “best” variety for the region. Who knows? I do know that this Cab is big. Really big. Even huge. But not in a muscular, tannin-heavy, brooding way. No, this is big in the fruit-bomb sense of the term. Big, rich, luscious fruit dominates from start to finish with not much else peeking through (other than some vanilla and oak). OK. I get it. There are tons of people out there who love this style (otherwise Caymus would not exist), but it is a bit much for me. Very Good. 88 Points.

2021 Riva Leone Gavi, Piedmont, Italy: Retail $16. Very Responsible Bottle (495g; 17.4oz). 100% Cortese di Gavi. This wine grows in the shadow of its much more prestigious brethren in Piedmont, but it certainly is no slouch. Sure, there are better white wines in the world, but Cortese can hold its own on my dinner table, for sure. Fairly light in color with orchard fruit (intense pear) and a touch of citrus. The palate is on the verge of rich (but not quite there) with ample acidity and a nice touch of flair. Like I said, this is not a world-beater by any means, but at fifteen bucks? I would easily keep a bottle or two on hand for a Tuesday night or a surprise visit from the in-laws. Very Good. 89 Points.

2021 Riva Leone Barbera, Piemonte, Italy: Retail $12. Responsible Bottle (538g; 1lb 2.9oz). My wife asks me all the time: so Barolo is like Burgundy? Brunello is like Bordeaux? To both questions, I usually answer “kinda”. But when she asks me about Barbera? It gets a bit tricky. Maybe it’s “like” a Côtes-du-Rhône or maybe a Burgundy Passe-tout-grains, or even a Beaujolais Chiroubles? Any choice I make, there is a ton of explaining to do. And while the discussion is interesting and probably well beyond the scope of a twelve-buck wine, this bottle is delicious. Rich, fruity, tart (although a tad lacking in acidity if I were to nitpick), and round, one could do a lot worse at this price point. Very Good. 89 Points.

2022 Troon Vineyard Mourvèdre Amphora, Applegate Valley, OR: Retail $65. Ridiculously Light Bottle (472g; 1lb 0.6oz). 75% Mourvèdre (35% whole cluster), 25% Grenache (30% whole cluster). When it comes to red wine, I can count on one hand the number of times I have said “I could really go for a Mourvèdre.” It tends to be heavy, very fruity, and dark. Well, this wine is perhaps not “heavy” but the other two attributes are certainly here as it is on the dark side and there is plenty of dark fruit (blueberry, blackberry), a touch of earth, and more than an ounce of brood. What sets this wine apart from other Mourvèdres (at least for me) is that the driver here is clearly the tartness. Holy cow. Lip-smacking goodness from the jump carries all the way through to the finish. Yowza. Outstanding. 93 Points.