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).

NV Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut, France: Retail $25. Very Heavy Bottle (767g; 27.0oz). 50% Pinot Blanc, 50% Auxerrois. Always a solid wine and a solid deal at twenty bucks (its usual shelf price), this is loaded with tons of tree fruit and a brilliant acidity. It doesn’t hurt that it is from Alsace, my “home” of sorts in France and the bottle is about 20g lighter than the last. Bravo! Very Good. 89 Points.

2023 Left Coast Estate White Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, CA: Retail $28. Very Responsible Bottle (490g; 17.3oz). 100% Pinot Noir. This has become one of the more important wines in the Left Coast arsenal, after being introduced as an “experimental” offering back in 2011. Just a slight tinge of color in the glass, perhaps could be considered a rosé (although barely). Quite floral in the glass with some subtle red berry fruit and a mineral aspect. The palate is quite tart, with some of that red fruit coming in on the mid-palate and finishing with a touch of florality and a dash of spice. Excellent. 91 Points.

2021 Pedroncelli Cabernet Sauvignon Wisdom, Dry Creek Valley Estate, CA: Retail $60. Very Heavy Bottle (788g; 27.7oz). 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Malbec. Under cork. The Pedroncelli family has been making wine in Dry Creek Valley for nearly 100 years, which is remarkable in and of itself. The fact that the wines are of the highest quality and moderately priced is a testament to their commitment to provide wines for people to drink every day. This Wisdom, though, at $60 is a more recent endeavor to also produce premium, “special occasion” wines that highlight individual vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. This Wisdom is one of those wines and perhaps my favorite in the Pedroncelli lineup. Dark but not brooding, fruity but no bomb, and weighty without being heavy (not talking about the bottle–that is certainly really heavy), this is just delightful. Rich, robust, but also food friendly, this seems to fit in perfectly with the Pedroncelli ethos. Outstanding. 93 Points.

2021 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, CA: Retail $65. Heavy Bottle. Under cork. It is time to call it what it is: Smith-Madrone wines are dumb. Yes. I said it. I have told both Stu and Charlie to their faces that what they are doing is dumb. They both laughed in their own way, but kind of gave me the “shut-up kid” look. What is so dumb? They regularly produce wines that punch well above the respective price, wines that not only demolish the price point, but challenge what it means to be from “Napa Valley”. I have my own opinions as to why Smith-Madrone wines continue to be the best values in the valley, but I will save that for another day. Today? This Cab is a wonder with great fruit (blackberry, raspberry, plum), an herbal aspect (anise, for sure and maybe sage), an earthy component (forrest floor), and incredible balance. Yeah. While this would likely not “blow” many minds (it is no fruit-bomb, ridiculously rich Napa stereotype), it is a wonderfully balanced, food-friendly masterpiece, worthy of any table. Bravo. Outstanding. 95 Points.

2021 Spicewood Vineyards The Independence, Texas High Plains, TX: Retail $45. Very Heavy Bottle. 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 8% Petite Verdot. So, since the last vintage of this wine that I tried (2019), I have indeed visited the Texas Wine Country and while it is certainly no Napa or Sonoma (or Willamette, or Walla Walla, or…), there is certainly plenty of charm and Fredericksburg is a delightful town. Having said all of that, Texas wine continues to be a bit of a mixed bag for me. While I certainly think this wine has its place, like most Cabernet blends I have tried from the state, this is jammy and huge. Much bigger (and jammier) than I like. Sure, I think it has its place with Lone Star State consumers, but I am not sure I am one. Very Good. 88 Points.