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).

2020 C.L. Butaud Tempranillo, Texas High Plains, TX: Retail $55. This has to be one of the heaviest bottles I have ever tried to lift from Texas. 100% Tempranillo. Under cork. Make no mistake, this is an environmentally destructive bottle and it could be used in any number of felonies. Quite dark in the glass with tons of dark fruit, a touch of oak, and considerable levels of vanilla on the nose. Intense, for sure, but surprisingly restrained and harmonious on the nose. The palate is incredibly rich and concentrated with black fruit (cassis, blackberry), tar, tobacco, and spice. Well-balanced and focused, this is a very nice wine but the weight of the bottle? Holy mother of Jesus, this is beyond a violation. Excellent. 90 Points.

NV Graham Porto Six Grapes Reserve, Portugal: Retail $29. From Graham’s website: “made primarily of … Touriga Franca, …Touriga Nacional, … Tinta Roriz and … Tinta Barroca. [C]omponents of Tinta Amarela, Tinta Cão, Souzão and Tinta Francisca.” A lovely reddish brown with a purple hue, the nose is characterized by ripe cherry, plum, and mocha. The palate is, surprisingly, rather light on its feet–not a heavy brooding port by any means. Plenty of fruit, sweet (but not cloying), a tad hot initially (but eventually mellows), this is quite a tasty port, particularly for the price. Excellent. 90 Points.

2020 Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia: Retail $20. Heavy bottle. Under screw cap. I tasted this as a part of a Zoom tasting for the wines of Victoria, Australia. I arrived late (long story), but I jumped right in with this light-in-the-glass even delicate Pinot. While my experience with Aussie wines is not all that extensive, this price range for me means jammy, extracted wines. Not here. At All. This is anyone’s definition of “light Pinot” and this certainly verges on “delicate” with sour cherry, touches of spice, and a healthy amount of funk (and I love the funk). The palate is quite tart, with that funk and a touch of earth. While this is not the most complex Pinot I have tried, at this price point? Yeah, this is a keeper. Very Good. 88 Points.

2021 Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz Cliff Edge, Grampians, Western Victoria, Australia: Retail $27. Heavy bottle. Under screw-cap. 100% Shiraz. The wines of Victoria are making a push to increase their presence in the U.S. and this is a solid effort to make inroads. Rather dark in the glass with plenty of plum and blackberry, spice, and even a touch of garrigue. The palate is fruity but nowhere close to jammy (as has been my experience with many a wine from Australia) with a tangy, on the verge of intense acidity and fantatic mouthfeel. I simply do not drink a ton of Shiraz, but this wine is compelling. Excellent. 92 Points.

2019 Rombauer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA: Retail $75. Heavy bottle. 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Even though Rombauer has to be considered a Napa stalwart, I honestly have not had many wines from the producer. I guess that mostly stems from the reputation of their Chardonnay, which is viewed as oaky, buttery, heavy, and opulent–not really in my wheelhouse. Well, this Cabernet is certainly big (but aren’t most Napa Cabs?) and loaded with dark fruit, but it is not over-the-top when it comes to alcohol (OK, 14.8% ABV is “high” for some, but it is balanced here). While not really my style, I really like this wine and think it is a solid representation of wines from the Valley. Excellent. 91 Points. 

2018 Sokol Blosser Bluebird Cuveé: Retail $32. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Early Muscat, Müller- Thurgau, Riesling. 55% Oregon, 45% Washington. This Bluebird Cuvée is an interesting blend of historically French and German varieties and decidedly focused on that fruit with only 12 months of time on the lees. Pale straw in the glass with oodles of fruit (pear, green and yellow apple) with no significant evidence of yeastiness. The palate is bright, tart, and lively with all that fruit and a healthy dose of acidity. The finish is once again focused on the fruit and the sharpness carries on for some time. Very Good. 88 Points.