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).

2021 Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Franc Gaia, Gualtallary, Valle de Uco, Argentina: Retail $24. Responsible Bottle. 100% Cabernet Franc. I have long been a fan of Bousquet’s ever-growing (it seems) portfolio and the Gaia line has been a favorite. This Cabernet Franc is dark in the glass, even brooding, with a rich cherry cola vibe on the nose and just a hint of earth. The palate is also rather dark with plenty of fruit (again, black cherry) and the requisite tartness to balance out the wine. While this is not a world beater, it brightens up any table, particularly if it has roast pork, a juicy burger, or even a meat-lovers pizza. Giddy-up. Excellent. 90 Points.

2021 Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Vino Orgánico Anne Bousquet, Tupungato, Argentina: Retail $25. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. If there were a gun pointed to my head (hey, I live in Texas, you never know), I would likely put Domaine Bousquet at the top of my list of “bargain producers”. But they are much more than that. They also seem to be stewards of the earth, as they are the largest organic producer in Argentina. Their wines have impressed me since I started reviewing them about a decade ago. And, they seem to be really nice people. Oh, and did I mention the wines are fantastic (I did, but I repeat for emphasis). Rich dark and red berry fruit, plenty of earth and spice, and weight, complexity, and verve. Yowza, this is good. And Whoa. Outstanding. 94 Points.

2019 Weinbau Jalits Blaufränkisch Reserve Szapary, Eisenberg, Burgenland, Austria: Retail $40. 100% Blaufränkisch. As I have said many times, I am no fan of the Blau. Yes, I have tasted many “good” examples of the variety, but I have never, ever stated “I should drink more Blaufränkisch.” It is often gamey (or worse), overly tart (or worse), and almost always, well, regrettable. That is not what we have here. At. All. Fruity, well-balanced, and even introspective, this might indeed be the best Blaufränkisch that I have ever tried. While it does not make me a convert to the variety (yet?), I will happily find the bottom of this bottle. Excellent. 91 Points.

2021 Nittnaus Blaufränkisch Kalk und Schiefer, Neusiedlersee, Austria: Retail $20. 100% Blaufränkisch. I won’t lie: I don’t like Blaufränkisch. Never have, and likely never will. Why? It is just too gamey for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love a little funk in my wine, but the Blau takes it to another level. Having said all of that? This is a pretty good iteration of the genre. The nose? Yeah. Funky. Meaty. No-likey. The palate, however, goes in the opposite direction with good fruit (dark berry), nice tartness, touches of earth and spice, and yeah, some funk (although nowhere near what it shows on the nose). But do I “like” it? Good question. Very Good. 89 Points.

2022 Pasqua Romeo & Juliet Passione e Sentimento Bianco, Veneto IGT, Italy: Retail $15. Very Responsible Bottle (492g; 17.3oz). 100% Garganega. Agglomerated stopper. When I first had this wine a couple of years ago, I really liked it. So much so, that I have used it in many a tasting and counseled several to buy it (while ignoring the ugly label). Very similar to previous vintages that I had tried and all have been very similar: A brilliant straw in the glass with golden delicious apple, pineapple, lemon rind, and a slight nutty note. The palate is full, fruity, and, well, fresh. Great balance and a lengthy finish. And for the price? This is off-the-charts fantastic. Excellent. 90 Points.

2022 Pasqua Romeo & Juliet Passione e Sentimento Rosso, Veneto IGT, Italy: Retail $18. 40% Merlot, 30% Corvina, 30% Croatina. This is what I wrote not quite three years ago about the 2019 vintage: “It has been a couple of years (and three vintages) since I have tried this wine, but it is just as enchanting as I remember it. Great raspberry and blackberry on the nose with a rich, peppery, spicy component. The palate is incredibly rich and layered (particularly given the price), with luscious fruit, a balancing tartness, and a lengthy finish. I take back what I said, this 2019 is better than the 2016 I tried two years ago.” Most of that is still true, but I am a little less enamored with this vintage, though only slightly. Excellent. 91 Points.