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).

2023 Bodega Amalaya Rosado, Calchaquies, Argentina: Retail $17. Responsible Bottle (512g; 18oz). 95% Malbec, 5% Torrontés. Under screw cap. I have had a few wines from this producer and I guess I am surprised that this is the first Rosado that I have tried (it can’t be, can it?). The websites states that there is a bit of residual sugar (1.8%), but it is virtually imperceptible. Good red berry fruit, a healthy dose of zing, and a decent finish. No, this is not a life-changer, but it is a great accompaniment to Thursday Night Football. Very Good. 88 Points.

2020 Caruso & Minini Nero d’Avola Naturalmente Bio, Sicily, Italy: Retail $20. Heavy Bottle (600g; 21.1oz). Under DIAM3. 100% Nero d’Avola. Truth be told, I don’t drink a ton of Nero d’Avola. Heck, even on my few trips to Sicily I barely drank any. Even though it is the most widely planted variety on the island, it seems as though the Sicilians always wanted me to try their other wines. Why? I am not sure, but I am certain that this wine is delicious: characteristically dark in color and aromas (cassis, blackberry, plum, and even some anise), fantastically fruity and layered on the palate, and pretty darned affordable–and it’s made with organic grapes to boot! What is not to love here? I certainly am digging it. Excellent. 90 Points.

2018 Cantine Ermes Nero d’Avola Sicilia Epicentro Riserva, Sicily, Italy: Retail $25. Ridiculously Heavy Bottle (920g; 32.4oz). 100% Nero d’Avola. I was excited to taste this wine as I loved my time in Sicily. That was until I (tried to) lift the bottle. Holy mother of god. How completely stupid. Ugh. Here we go again… The wine? It’s alright. There’s tons of fruit but there is even more acidity, so much that it seems a bit out of balance here. Sure, the wine is quaffable and fun, but it just does not click completely for me. Except for my shoulder, it is clicking plenty after lifting that bottle. Very Good. 88 Points.

2021 FIOL Prosecco Rosé, Veneto, Italy: Retail $18, Very Heavy Bottle (724g; 25.5oz). 85% Glera & 15% Pinot Noir. Prosecco Rosé officially became a “thing” in 2019, making this the third iteration of the genre. And while I have had quite a few in the last three years, I am far from an expert. This Fiol, though, is a compelling wine with tons of fruit both on the nose and the palate, with a touch of sweetness and ample tartness. Fruity and easy to drink, this is a wine that does not require much contemplation, which is fine by me; sometimes I just want a solid wine to drink while I watch my team lose. Again. Very Good. 88 Points.

2022 Pedroncelli Cabernet Sauvignon Block 10 Home Ranch Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley, CA: Retail $45. Heavy Bottle (645g; 22.7oz). 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Inaugural release, 590 cases produced. This estate wine replaces the Block 007 Cabernet that has long been a staple of the Pedroncelli line. Fairly dark in color with dark notes of blackberry, plum, and mocha on the palate with underlying tones of forrest floor, dark earth, and oak (16 months French, 40% new). The palate is rich and harmonious with tons of dark berry fruit, touches of vanilla and cardamom, and plenty of zingy tartness. In fact, it is the latter that really drives this wine and even though the tannins are soft and well-integrated, this beauty has a fairly long life ahead of it (5-10 years, easy). Outstanding. 94 Points.

2022 William Cole Vineyards Chardonnay Cuvée Jane Marie, St. Helena, Npa Valley, CA: Retail $95. Ridiculously Heavy Bottle (916g; 32.3oz). So this is my first foray into the brand and ridiculously heavy bottle aside, this is pretty fantastic. My wife is squarely into the Anything But Chardonnay (ABC) crowd, but this wine certainly tickled her fancy. Light straw color (at best–it is quite light ) in the glass with tons of tropical fruit, oddly: guava, papaya, and pineapple dominate the nose. The palate is rich, and yes, tropical with all that mango and papaya. But tons of acidity and verve as well, Excellent. 92 Points.