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).

2019 Chalmers Felicitas, Heathcote, Victoria, Australia: Retail $42. Extremely Heavy Bottle (895g; 31.5oz). 100% Fiano. Traditional Method Sparkling Wine. Including this wine, I know of exactly one sparkling wine made with Fiano using the traditional (Champagne) method. (It’s this one, in case you missed it.). Bright yellow, on the way to golden with a floral nose of hyacinth with a touches of golden delicious apple and lemon rind. The palate is tart, even really tart with plenty of fruit and that perfumed, floral note that we first met on the nose. The sparkle is subtle but active and carries through to the well-above-average finish. Chalmers focuses on Italian varieties in Victoria and through this Fiano it seems abundantly clear that the know what they are doing. Excellent. 91 Points.

2022 Herdade do Esporão Esporão Reserva Branco, Alentejo, Portugal: Retail $20. Responsible Bottle (502g; 17.7oz). 40% Antão Vaz, 40% Arinto, 40% Roupeiro. Under cork. It has been several years now since I visited Esporão and its region, Alentejo, but the memories are still fresh and fond. This is the workhorse of Esporão’s white portfolio, and it is as tasty as ever. Yellow, on the verge of golden in the glass with golden delicious apple, touches of peach and lemon, and just a hint of honey blossom. The palate transports me to that hot Alentejano afternoon at Esporão, tasting through the wines with then winemaker Sandra Alves: fruity, tart, layered, and expressive, this still delights. Excellent. 92 Points.

2021 Herdade do Esporão Esporão Reserva, Alentejo, Portugal: Retail $22. Very Responsible Bottle (495g; 17.4oz). Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Shortly after I started my blog in 2012, I was introduced to Esporão and I have been a fan of the brand and wines ever since. It appears they conduct business the right way; from vineyard practices to glass choices, they seem to have the planet in mind with just about every decision. As for this wine? Fruity (although reserved), earthy (although not over-the-top), and balanced. This wine, should you be able to find it, is one that is worthy to have on hand for “Tuesday” as well as that special dinner. Excellent. 91 Points.

2020 J. Lohr Pinot Noir Falcon’s Perch, Monterey, CA: Retail $17. Responsible Bottle (548g; 19.3oz). Agglomerated cork. I first tried this wine for the 6th Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir and it was, simply, not good. So much so that I actually contacted the winery. As a result, they sent me another bottle and it is better. By a lot. Good fruit, plenty of oak notes, and touches of vanilla. While no one would confuse this with a 1er Cru Gevrey-Chambertain, it is in contention for an every-day kind of drinker. It is big, and a bit bold, but there is likely a market for this $17 Pinot. Very Good. 88 Points.

2021 Stoller Estate White Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $40. Very Heavy Bottle (701g; 24.7oz)). There is not a lot of white Pinot Noir on the market, so when I see one, I gravitate toward it with both hands. And this one is worthy of my obsession. Rich peach and pear on the palate along with some mandarin rind and white hyacinth. Yowza. The palate is rich, even incredibly rich, with intense fruit, incredible weight, and plenty of zing. Yowza. This is a pretty powerful white. Wait, is it a red? Either way, fantastic. Outstanding. 93 Points.

2023 Zilzie Chardonnay, Victoria, Australia: Retail $19. Ridiculously Responsible Bottle (417g; 14.7oz). Under screw cap. Another wine in the series of wines that I have been sampling from Victoria, Australia. The region, perhaps panicked by the dramatic increase in tariffs in China (which have since been lifted), has made a push to expand its market share in the U.S. While I am not sure about the process or the business plan, I am certain that the wines I have tried thus far have been stellar, as is this sub-twenty buck chard. Not much color, but plenty of action on the nose with citrus (lemon, lime), tree fruit (pear), and just a hint of funk (I love the funk). The palate is lip-smackingly tart, with an off-the-hook citrus note. But this is far from a one trick pony with considerable minerality, plenty of viscosity, and even a healthy dose of intrigue. Perhaps I am over-selling a twenty dollar wine, but this really is refreshing and fantastic. Excellent. 90 Points.