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 Azienda Agricola Corvezzo Prosecco Rosé, Italy: Retail $15. Very Heavy Bottle (715g; 25.2oz). 85% Glera, 15% Pinot Nero. This is only the third official vintage of Rosé Prosecco and from those that I have tasted every year, it certainly seems to me that the wines are improving. I have not tasted this particular producer’s rosé since that inaugural vintage, I believe, and this current vintage follows that trend. Tons of fruit here, mostly strawberry and cherry, with the requisite acidity to accompany it. Although I could not find the data online, it does indeed seem as though there is some residual sugar, but it works with all that fruit and acidity. Excellent. 90 Points.

2022 Art of Earth Riesling, Rheinhessen, Germany: Retail $13. Very Responsible Bottle (441g; 15.5oz). Under screw cap. This is an affordable, straightforward Riesling from Germany in a cobalt-blue bottle. While it is not overly complex, the pale yellow wine has nice aromas of lime rind and orange blossoms paired with a hint of petrol. The palate is tart and linear with more than ample fruit and a dash of verve. Like I said, this is not a world-beater nor will it cause you to reassess your opinion of German Riesling. But. It is true to the region and the variety all while coming in under 12% ABV. And for thirteen bucks? Solid. Very Good. 88 Points.

NV Mosketto Delicate Sweet Pink, Italy: Retail $12. Screw top. A blend of Moscato and Brachetto. Bright pink in color with a lovely nose of wild strawberry and ripe cherry. The slight sparkle is refreshing on the palate where there is an adundance of fruit and plenty of sweetness. Plenty of sweetness. The tartness tries to keep up and combat the sugar at least moderately, but make no mistake: it’s sweet. While I would stop short of calling this a “dessert wine” I would also not call it “off-dry”. For those that enjoy a sweet semi-sparkling wine, this would certainly do the trick, especially given the low alcohol (5% ABV) and just over 100 calories per glass. Very Good. 87 Points.

2022 Pedroncelli Zinfandel Bushnell Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley, CA: Retail $40. Heavy Bottle (651g; 22.9oz). I have been friends with the folks at Pedroncelli for years now and I have always loved their wines. I have also told them repeatedly that they did not charge enough for them. Well, it seems as though they may have listened to me as this Bushnell Zin has inched up slightly in price. And the wines deliver. This wine is fantastic: rich, sexy fruit with great weight and oomph, a zingy tartness, integrated, silky tannins, and a lengthy finish. Wonderful. Outstanding. 93 Points.

2018 Trapiche Malbec Terroir Series Finca Coletto El Peral, Tupungato, Argentina: Retail $50. Exceedingly Heavy Bottle (896g; 31.5oz). Under cork. 100% Malbec. In short? The wine is fantastic but the bottle is an abomination. Just ridiculous. Rich, dark fruit on the nose, loaded with plum and blackberry, along with black pepper and a slight herbal aspect (mint?). The palate is rich, even insanely rich, with a definite blackberry compote dominating the flavors. There is acid, which struggles to keep up, and earth, but just barely noticeable behind all that fruit.Yeah, this is big, even really big, and close to “too big for me” but it really is a fun wine. It did not, however, work all that well with my ribeye. Instead? I would find a cool night, a warm fireplace, and a cheesy movie when I popped this wine. Excellent. 92 Points.

2022 Wine People Nero d’Avola Sicilia Nero Oro Appassimento, Sicily, Italy: Retail $14. Responsible Bottle (502g; 17.7oz). I can safely say (I think?) that this is my first Appassimento Nero d’Avola, which, basically, means that the grapes were dried for a bit of time after harvest to further concentrate the flavors and aromas (I think I got that right). Most Appassimento wines (think Amarone) are usually richer, fruitier, and even more complex than their non-semi-dried counterparts. Well, this wine is certainly fruity, even very fruity, with loads of blackberry and cassis, hints of plum and even a touch of anise. The palate is equally vivacious with all that fruit masking a wine of notable depth and intrigue. If you love a dark, fruity wine, this should be on your short list. And at the price? It’s certainly low-risk. Very Good. 89 Points.