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 Art of Earth Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina: Retail $12. Ridiculously responsible bottle. Under screw cap. A few weeks ago I popped (unscrewed?) the Art of Earth Cabernet Sauvignon and I was impressed. Well, this unoaked Chardonnay is even more worthy of remark. Pale straw to yellow in the glass with lemon peel, white pepper, and acacia flower on the nose, this is more inviting than I had anticipated. The palate is a continuation of the theme: tart, juicy, engaging, and bright, this reminds me of that woman in college…wait. Refocus. Think: “appropriate”. It is a lovely wine and given the price point? I think it is more than worthy of giving it a shot, just like that woman… Focus! Excellent. 90 Points.

2019 Bodegas El Coto, Rioja Crianza, Spain: Retail $12. 100% Tempranillo. Responsible bottle. Under agglomerated stopper. I really should drink more Rioja but I am a bit afraid. While I have had many fantastic wines from Spain’s most well-known region, I also have had a few stinkers. And other than price, I really have not figured out how to manage that minefield other than by trial and error. Enter this El Coto Crianza. While no one would confuse this with a top wine from the region, at $12, the “investment” is minimal and the reward? Close to substantial. Good fruit, nice acidity, a balanced quaffable wine that requires little introspection and serves as a wonderful accompaniment to my meatloaf and, a little later, a bit of popcorn and a Netflix movie. Sure, this wine will not change my life, but it did move my Wednesday night from “mundane” to “memorable” (almost). Very Good. 89 Points.

2021 Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir, Freestone Vineyards, Sonoma Coast, CA: Retail $70. Heavy Bottle (761g, 1lb 10.9oz). DIAM10. All cards on the table: I am not all that familiar with the Joseph Phelps brand. I have tried Insignia at a few events, I came across a few older Cabs here and there, and perhaps a Chardonnay. But I am fairly certain that this is my first Phelps Pinot. Medium to dark color in the glass with wonderful red and dark berry fruit (cherry, raspberry, even a bit of plum), plenty of dark earth, and dried red rose petals. The palate is full and harmonious, with plenty of fruit but the tartness balances it nicely. It is pretty darned wonderful right now and a lovely quaff. But that heavy bottle…. Excellent. 92 Points.

2019 Meyye Wines Pinot Noir ‘Omay, Petaluma Gap, CA: Retail $75. Ridiculously heavy bottle. Rich ruby but close to translucent, with intense rose petal and lilac on the nose, along with some subtle red fruit (wild cherry), and a smattering of earth. The palate is simply lovely. Sure there is fruit (rich and red), there is also a zingy tartness (which is perhaps the palate’s defining element), and just a hint of the aforementioned earth. But. They all meld together into a harmonious one. I have tasted a ton of American Pinot. A ton. Blind, aged, out of the barrel, you name it. I would not hesitate to put this up against the best of them and I would be confident that it would perform quite well. Outstanding. 94 Points. 

2018 Meyye Wines Sokootok, Sierra Foothills CA: Retail $60. Ridiculously heavy big ass bottle. 50% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 9% Counoise, 3% Zinfandel. This is the second bottle from this small-production winery that I have popped and this is equally impressive. Fairly dark in the glass with oodles of dark fruit, vanilla, oak, and even mocha. Rich, fruity, tart, and fairly complex on the palate and certainly on the “big” side of wines, but it is balanced and certainly tasty. Excellent. 90 Points.

2021 Sigalas Assyrtiko Barrel, Santorini, Greece: Retail $70(?). Heavy bottle. Under cork. 100% Assyrtiko. Even though I spent my honeymoon on Santorini, I do not drink a ton of Assyrtiko (the white variety most associated with the island) and that is too bad, particularly when I come across a bottle like this one. A portion of the fruit is fermented and aged in neutral French oak, which results in a rounder, somewhat darker wine. Yellow, perhaps on the way to golden, with lemon curd and mineral notes on the nose. The palate is fruity, round, and unctuous with a decided sweet feel to it (3.1 g/l of residual sugar). All in all? This is pretty fantastic and makes me want to go back to the black sand beaches of its home (with my wife, I am pretty sure). Excellent. 92 Points.