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 Sauvignon Ameri, Gualtallary, Valle de Uco, Argentina: Retail $35. Responsible Bottle (561g; 19.7oz). 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. I have been reviewing Domaine Bousquet wines for many years now and I usually start each review with a similar refrain: the Domaine crafts incredible wines at more than reasonable prices. In fact, I have mentioned the “issue” to the folks at Bousquet a couple of times, but they remain steadfast to produce fantastic wines at affordable prices. At least for now… As for this Cab? Yeah, another log on that fire. Great fruit, a smidge of earth, a bit of mocha, and more than enough tartness to go around. Fantastic. Excellent. 92 Points.

2022 Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Tupungato, Argentina: Retail $17. Extremely Responsible Bottle (395g; 13.9oz). Under DIAM5. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec. Another juicy, fun quaff from the largest organic producer in Argentina. Quite dark in color, but rather light and fresh in aromas of blackberry, plum, and blueberry. Just tons of fruit. The story is the same on the palate as the juicy black and blue fruit greet you at the door and stay with you for the entire party. A bit of tartness comes in on the mid palate to try and distract you, but the fruit once again regains control and persists through the finish. If you like your wines fruity and not overly complicated, here you go! Very Good. 89 Points.

2022 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Cuvée, Eola – Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $35. Heavy Bottle (604g; 21.3oz). Under cork. The winery sent this to me to take part in the Seventh Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir, but it arrived two days too late. Too bad; this is delicious. Medium color with plenty of black fruit: blackberry, black cherry, even some cassis, with an earthy component that really challenges the notion that this is a “New World” Pinot. The palate, however, reintroduces that notion, with an impressive wave of fruit initially. The acidity and some of that earth come to the party on the mid-palate with a healthy dose of verve. At just north of $30? This is a wonderful intro to the Willamette Valley and to the Eola – Amity Hills. Yum. Excellent. 92 Points.

2022 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Temperance Hill, Eola – Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $46. Heavy Bottle (609g; 21.4oz). Agglomerated stopper. 144 cases made. I received three bottles of Evesham Wood Pinot for my annual Pinot tasting, but they showed up just a few days late. Argh. It would have been interesting to see how they would have fared against a fairly strong line-up back in November. This small production wine, like the two others they sent me, is rather shy, even after considerable time open and a healthy decant. Subtle red and black fruit with a healthy dose of earth and a hint of stems. The palate is loaded with a zingy tartness and a balancing fruit presence. While many wines from Oregon are leaning into the more aggressive, fruit-forward style, the Evesham Wood wines seem to be delightfully clinging to the more subtle, food-friendly side of Pinot. Excellent. 91 Points.

2022 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Le Puits Sec, Eola – Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $56. Heavy Bottle (603g; 21.2oz). Under agglomerated stopper. This is the second wine that was meant to be included in my annual Pinot tasting, but showed up a couple of days late. Very subtle. Very. Quite light in the glass (for an American Pinot, at least), with subtle red and black fruit (black cherry, raspberry), hints of earth, and a touch stemmy on the nose. The palate initially was quite shy, but with a bit of time, some lovely fruit comes through, balanced by a reserved but persistent tanginess that carries the wine on through the lengthy finish. Excellent. 92 Points.