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 overarching theme: Muret-Gaston is French for Old Friends (not really, but it should be), The Rise of Australian Wine Beyond Shiraz, Some Wines from Victoria, 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).
2022 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir Estate, Carneros, CA: Retail $47. Responsible Bottle (586g; 20.6oz). I was sent this bottle as part of a tasting with some local cheese. While the cheese left something to be desired, this wine was once again stellar. I received a first bottle of the wine as a “random sample” last year, and it was fantastic (96 Points)! For whatever reason, I ended up with another bottle for this beauty as part of the online Zoom call. Yowza. A bit rich and dark, but plenty of fruit: cherry with some cranberry. Lovely. All this carries through on the palate with an intense black cherry and a perceived sweetness from all that fruit. Fantastic. Outstanding. 95 Points.
2022 Weingut Jordan Grüner Veltliner Brut Réserve, Niederösterreich, Austria: Retail $35. Extremely Heavy Bottle (857g; 30.2oz). 100% Grüner Veltliner. As I have mentioned more times than I could count, I am a bit of a bubbles hound and willing to try anything that sparkles. Of all the “non-traditional” varieties used in making sparkling wines, there are few that I enjoy more than a really good sparkling Grüner. And this is a really good Grüner. Close to yellow in the glass with some dried apricot, some lemon rind, and a mineral note on the nose. Lovely. The palate is bright, even really bright, with a zingy tartness and classic Grüner notes of fresh tree fruit (more peach than pear here). Add in the lengthy finish and, as I said, this is a really nice sparkling Grüner. Yum. Excellent. 91 Points.
2023 Tasca D’Almerita Sicilia Regaleali Bianco, Sicily, Italy: Retail $17. Responsible Bottle (505g; 17.8oz). Under screw cap. 33% Inzolia, 30% Grecanico, 27% Catarratto, 10% Chardonnay. An interesting blend of some local varieties along with Chardonnay, this pale straw white is a bit shy on the nose with some Golden Delicious apple, a bit of white flower and salinity, and a hint of wet rock. The palate is along similar lines, with a fairly fervent acidity that dominates through the mid palate. A solid wine from one of my favorite places in the world. Very Good. 89 Points.
2024 Troon Vineyard Mourvèdre Amphora, Applegate Valley, OR: Retail $45. Responsible Bottle (502g; 17.2oz). 100% Mourvèdre. Each time I receive some wine from Troon, I am excited. Not only are the wines incredibly well-made and tasty, but I would venture to state that no other winery is better for the planet and more committed to sustainability. Period. On the other hand, I am no fan of Mourvèdre; I find it overly meaty and funky (even though I claim to love the funk). But. This is a really good Mourvèdre. Medium to dark in color with that characteristic meaty-funkiness on the nose, I am hesitant to dive in, but once I do? Yeah, this is close to gangbusters. Plenty of luscious red and blue fruit on the palate, along with that, yes, meaty-funkiness, but also a zingy, unifying, captivating acidity, that is a show-stopper. Again. I love Troon for so many reasons, but there is no denying that their wines are world-class. Outstanding. 94 Points.
NV La Vieille Ferme (Perrin & Fils) Reserve Méthode Contemporaine, France: Retail $12. Extremely Heavy Bottle (). 90 % Chardonnay, 10% Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano). OK a couple of things to address here. First, I received this as a sample, but I am not entirely sure when or from whom. I am usually pretty good about keeping track, but let’s move on. The second is that La Vielle Ferme, a brand from the famed Perrin & Fils, has been around for roughly 40 years, producing solid, affordable, and widely available wines from the South of France. Third, this is made by the “méthode contemporaine”, which, as I understand it, captures the CO2 from the fermentation process, stores it, and then infuses it at a later point in the process. That sounds like a ton of work. But you know what? It isn’t terrible. Bright, fruity, with a nice sparkle, and while this will never be confused with champagne, it is a fairly pleasant quaff, with a nice price point. Very Good. 88 Points.
the drunken cyclist 