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).

2015 Bodegas y Viñedos Lleiroso Ribera del Duero LL Reserva, Spain: Retail $22. Heavy Bottle (573g; 20.2oz). Under cork. 100% Tempranillo. Dark in color and aromas with oodles of black fruit (plum, blackberry, cassis). Yowza. The fruit is slightly stewed, though, indicating that it might be time to crack these puppies. The palate is tart, fruity, and engaging. This is what Ribera del Duoro should be and it is delightful. No, I am not all that familiar with the region, but this is a great indication that I should delve more deeply into what might be Spain’s “hippest” region. Excellent. 92 Points.

2022 Lucia Chardonnay Estate Cuvée, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA: Retail $50. Heavy Bottle (686g; 24.1oz). Under cork. 100% French oak (40% new) for eleven months. This is my second Lucia Chardonnay in as many nights and I could get used to this. Another gorgeous wine with straw to yellow color in the glass and plenty of lemon curd on the nose. This wine seems to be a bit more mineral, surprisingly, than the single vineyard Chard with some wet rock and a touch of seashell. Good fruit, but a bit more subdued or subtile, with a really nice tartness that comes in on the mid-palate. The finish is lengthy and quite mineral, certainly a Chablis vibe going on here. Outstanding. 93 Points.

2022 Lucia Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA: Retail $65. Heavy Bottle (678g; 23.8oz). Under cork. 100% French oak (48% new) for 11 months. Medium color with oodles of fruit on the nose: cherry predominate with some raspberry. There are also hints of red earth, fresh herbs (basil), and a touch of vanilla. The palate is loaded with fruit as well, with tons of red and black cherry. Yowza. The zingy acidity comes roaring in shortly thereafter and dictates the flow through the lengthy finish. A bit of spice on the mid-palate adds to the intrigue. A lovely, lovely wine that should age well for a decade, I imagine. Outstanding. 94 Points.

2022 Lucia Pinot Noir Estate Cuvée, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA: Retail $65. Heavy Bottle (686g; 24.1oz). Under cork. 100% French oak (53% new) for 11 months. 15% Whole cluster. This is my fourth Lucia wine in the last couple of days and all have been spectacular. No different here. Medium color with Bing Cherry on the nose, but this is perhaps the most demure of the four wines that I sampled; it took a while to coax out some aromas from the glass. The palate, however, is no shy fox, it is loaded with fruit, a zesty, tangy acidity, and a formidable finish. Fantastic. Excellent. 92 Points.

2022 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Rosso Toscana IGT, Italy: Retail $25. Ridiculously Responsible Bottle (365g; 12.8oz). 40% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Under screw cap. This is my first go at this bottling from a winery that I have been sampling for a few years now. Fairly dark in color as well as aromas with plenty of blackberry and plum in the glass with touches of violet, black pepper, and earth. Yummy. The palate is tart and inviting with loads of fruit, earth, spice, and well, I have to come back to that tartness, it really drives the wine. Very Good. 89 Points.

2022 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy: Retail $32. Very Responsible Bottle (458g; 16.1oz). Under cork. 100% Sangiovese. I have tried this wine a few times now and even though I received this bottle as a sample, it can be had locally for around $20. And at that price? I consider this a bargain. Dark and red fruit on the nose with some earth and pepper (both black). The palate is quite tart, and the fruit does its best at keeping up and it does so, for the most part. This wine does not claim to be a world-beater, but it really does a fantastic job at winning at least the block. Fantastic. Excellent. 91 Points.