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).

2022 Château d’Astros Côtes de Provence Cuvée Amour, France: Retail $25. Responsible bottle (595g; 1lb 4.9oz). 42% Grenache, 36% Cinsault, 22% Tibouren. When I was offered to try this wine, Château d’Astros, living in Houston, I thought it was a joke. But no sir, this is a real wine, and rather tasty (and would sell like crazy in Houston). Fairly light pink in the glass with plenty of ripe red berry fruit (strawberry, cherry), and a floral aspect (subtle red rose). The palate is delightful with bushels of fruit, bright and tart, yet round and sophisticated. I was all ready to dismiss this wine as a gimmick to attract Houston baseball fans, but this is fantastic. Excellent. 92 Points. 

2022 Commanderie de la Bargemone Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Blanc, France: Retail $20. Responsible bottle (560g; 1lb 3.7oz). 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Rolle (Vermentino). Under screwcap. Only about 5% of the wine produced in Provence is white which makes this wine that landed on my doorstep a few months ago, a bit of a unicorn. It also reminds me that the folks in Provence should be encouraged to produce more white as this is delicious. At only twenty bucks, this certainly over-delivers. Just a slight straw color in the glass (probably closer to being colorless) with subtle notes on the nose of lemon, verbena, acacia, and a slight mineral note. The palate, however? Much more lively and delicious with plenty of fruit, that floral component, and a tartness that begs for food. Or a beach. Fantastic. Excellent. 91 Points.

2022 BP Provence Select Côtes de Provence Les Sarrins Rosé, France: Retail $25. Heavy bottle (686g; 1lb 8.3 oz). Agglomerated stopper. I could not find the precise blend, but it contains Syrah, Rolle, and Mourvèdre. We have had a ton, a ton of the 2021 vintage as it was available at our local H-E-B at more than a reasonable price. And we loved it. Well. This 2022? It is decidedly better if that is possible. Sure, there are the markers of the 2021 with lively red fruit, loads of tartness, and a mineral finish, but this vintage is more vibrant, and alive, with more fruit and zing. Yes, I know that the folks at Bruno Paillard make this, and that might make me a bit jaded (it does), but honestly? This wine is gangbusters. Yowza. Outstanding. 94 Points.

2020 Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy: Retail $15. Under screw-cap. Responsible bottle (440g; 15.5oz). 100% Montepulciano. Medium color in the glass with some fruit but also a decided and prevalent barnyard aspect. Normally, I am a fan, but this pushes the edge of the envelope. Tart, fruity, and fairly well balanced, this is a pleasant quaff, but not worthy of much introspection. Very Good. 87 Points.

2022 Masciarelli Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Italy: Retail $14. Responsible bottle (363g; 12.8oz). Under screw-cap. 100% Trebbiano. When I first started getting into wine, Italy produced a slew of inexpensive white wines that, frankly, were not very good. At all. A lot has changed since then and the relatively recent increase in quality across the board, really, in Italian whites has been rather remarkable. Case in point. While this will likely not be anyone’s “forever wine” it is a solid, quaffable effort. Straw, close to yellow in the glass with a slight green tint and aromas of pine nut, tree fruit (white peach), and with a salty, briny note. The palate is fairly tart, with that briny, seashell-kind of aspect quite present. The finish is also quite tart but on the short side. Solid. Very Good. 87 Points.

2022 Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand: Retail $18. Responsible bottle (410g, 14.5oz). Under screw cap. I have stated countless times that I am not a fan of Sauvignon Blanc and I am not all that enamored with the SB from New Zealand. They tend to be overly citric, overly grassy, and overly cat pee-ish. I know there are some that like the style, and even seek it out. Those who do like that style would likely cherish this one, too, for it has all of the above and usually sells for around 12 bucks. Plenty of citrus, fresh-cut grass, and of course that touch of cat pee. The palate is bright and tangy, refreshing, even. Look, I will likely not buy a bottle of this wine, it is not my style, but it is a fine example of the genre. Very Good. 88 Points.