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).

NV Berlucchi Guido Franciacorta ’61 Extra Brut, Franciacorta, Italy: Retail $35. Extremely Heavy Bottle (839g; 29.5oz). 85% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Nero. I do not drink much Franciacorta and that is too bad since almost every wine I have tried has been fantastic. It is made using the same method as in Champagne and, largely, the same varieties are involved. The kind folks in Franciacorta generally try to avoid using the “C” word as they would prefer to be judged on their own merits (which, objectively speaking, is difficult when the similarities are glaring). This wine is lovely with great citrus, some yeasty and nutty notes, and a fervent, tiny sparkle. Again, it’s not champagne (and I am pretty sure it doesn’t want to be) but it is tasty and delightful. Excellent. 90 Points.

2022 Lucia Chardonnay Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA : Retail $65. Very Heavy Bottle (703g; 24.7oz). Under cork. 17 months in 100% French oak, 30% new. I have been a fan of the Pisoni Family Wines for several years now, so I am always excited to get a few of their wines for review. While I am no fan of the weight of this bottle, its contents are fantastic. Sure, it is big, and sure it is buttery, and it might harken back (at least a bit) to that “California Chard” style, but it really is tasty. Big lemon curd aromas with hints of wood and butter on the nose. The palate is rich and layered with fruit initially, then an intense tartness, and finishes with that oak (but I would consider it far from overdone). Yes, it is big, fruity, juicy, buttery, and oaky, but it is a glorious example of the upper end of this California style. Excellent. 92 Points.

2022 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Lo Sbrancato Rosé Toscana IGT, Italy: 2022 Il Poggione Brancato Toscana IGT: Retail $20. Very Responsible Bottle (412g; 14.5oz). 100% Sangiovese. Rich in color (a deep salmon) with plenty of red berry fruit and a floral aspect on the nose. The palate is rich and round with plenty of strawberry and cherry and a tartness that tries to reign in all that fruit on the midpalate. On that last point, the acidity, it seems to be lacking a touch, though, but I tend to nitpick; this is a wonderful quaff. Very Good. 89 Points.

NV Shannon Family of Wines Cricket Farms Brut, Lake County, CA: Retail $38. Ridiculously Heavy Bottle (919g; 32.3). “Mourvèdre, Chardonnay, Zinfandel.” This is a new release from the folks at Cricket Farms, a brand under the much larger Shannon Family Wines. I popped and tasted this wine before doing any research on the varietal composition and well, the wine is “interesting”. Not in a bad way at all, but certainly the flavors fell a bit outside the “normal” curve when it comes to sparkling wine (and I taste a ton of sparkling wine). Then I went to the tech sheet (which took some digging, and was, well, not great when I found it) and saw that there was some (I have no idea how much–did I mention the tech sheet was a bit thin?) Mourvèdre and Zinfandel in the blend. Well, that explains the “different” flavors which are not at all off-putting. More of a dark berry vibe with considerable salinity and a meaty aspect, this wine really is unlike most (any?) sparklers that I have tried. The difference is not profound, but it is there, and I like it. It is not everyday that you come across such a blend, so I am going to enjoy it. Very Good. 88 Points.

2022 Trapiche Chardonnay Terroir Series Finca Las Piedras, Valle du Uco, Argentina: Retail $52. Stupidly Heavy Bottle (1002g; 2lbs 3.4oz). Under agglomerated stopper. OK, I know I fixate on bottles, but holy crap is this one ridiculous. Over a kilogram? Seriously? Come on. Unfortunately, the wine is stellar. Quite light in color in the glass with a lovely nose of subtle citrus, a touch of butter, and a hint of oak. None overdone, but all are certainly there. The palate is pretty close to glorious with magnificent lemon curd initially, followed by a balancing acidity, then touches of oak and butter. And plenty of “yum”. While this is perhaps a “traditional” Chardonnay in that there is malolactic fermentation and oak, it is close to off the charts good. Whoa. But the bottle? Yikes. Outstanding. 94 Points.