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 Duchman Family Winery Vermentino, Texas High Plains, TX: Retail $28. Heavy Bottle (600g; 21.1oz). Agglomerated stopper. I have had a few wines from Duchman now and I have always been impressed. My visit to the winery a few years ago also ended with adoration. This wine only adds to that narrative. Peppery and fruity (tropical) on the nose, this really jumps out of the glass. The palate is a continuation of that theme: tons of fruit, tons, with some white pepper and plenty of zing. Yeah. While many producers in Texas remain hit or miss, Duchman solidly falls on the former. Excellent. 91 Points.

2022 Ducleaux Cellars Matriarch Belle Roche Estate Vineyard, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Walla Walla Valley, WA: Retail $40. 58% Roussanne, 42% Marsanne. Stelvin closure. I was out in Walla Walla on a college tour swing for Sebastian, my high school junior and we had just visited Whitman College (I loved it, he only “liked” it). After the tour, I met up with Liz Knapke, the Director of Walla Walla Wine, and she popped this beauty to sip. I finished it up sitting next to the outdoor fire at the Finch and I could not imagine a better scenario. Light straw color with some faint citrus and golden apple coming through on the nose. The palate is fruity, tart, and balanced with some additional mineral notes and plenty of verve. Whoa. Yeah, this hits my sweet spot even though my white Rhone experience is limited. Outstanding. 93 Points.

2021 Barone Ricasoli Brolio, Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany, Italy: Retail $25. Very Responsible Bottle (433g; 15.2oz). 95% Sangiovese, 5% Colorino. I am really a big fan of Chianti Classico and this is a solid representation of the region. Quite dark, even inky-dark, in the glass (thanks Colorino) with plenty of black berry fruit and more than a modicum of spice. Nice fruit (again, on the dark side) on the palate with a near-bracing tartness that immediately follows the fruit. Yeah, this is solid. Not a mind-blower or even a game-changer, but a solid entry into the genre. Very Good. 89 Points.

2022 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Kalita Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $45. Heavy Bottle (625g; 22.0oz). Under DIAM. This is, I believe, S-B’s second wine from the relatively newly acquired Kalita Vineyard, but the first that I have tried. Well, I actually tried this same vintage back in November as part of the 7th Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir and I liked it then (91 Points). I like it even more now. While many of the flavors and aromas from that first try remain constant, there seems to be more depth of flavor and complexity some six months out. I imagine it will continue to improve some in the short (1-3 years) run. Excellent. 92 Points.

2022 Troon Vineyard Syrah Estate, Applegate Valley, OR: Retail $45. Very Responsible Bottle (473g; 16.6oz). Under DIAM. 100% Syrah. Biodynamic, sustainable. Last month, I wrote a piece about Troon, but somehow neglected to include this wine in the reviews. Oops. A blend of a couple of different sites and a few clones, this has always been one of my favorite wines in the Troon portfolio and this wine follows that trend. Medium color, loaded with red fruit and tons of spice, the character of this wine is evident from the jump. The palate is both fruity and a tad gamey/savory, some tomato leaf, a lovely herbal aspect, and a tart thread running all the way through. There is no doubt that this is good on its own, but it really starts to shine with a bit of food; my shrimp puttanesca spaghetti was a near-perfect match. Outstanding. 93 Points.