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: Muret-Gaston is French for Old Friends (not really, but it should be), The Rise of Australian Wine Beyond Shiraz, Some Wines from Victoria, 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 Avivo Sangiovese Ledbetter Family Vineyards. Lodi, CA: Retail $24. Very Responsible Bottle (488g; 17.2oz). 95% Sangiovese, 5% Syrah. The fine folk at Avivo reached out and asked if I might be interested in trying their wine. “Sure, I have nothing better to do!” is what I thought, but I responded with only the first four characters. This Sangio, which they label as their “Red Wine”, and that is fine, you be you, is on the light side when it comes to color, with plenty of black cherry and black raspberry on the nose. The palate is juicy, tart, well-balanced, and just a ton of fun. The website says that this would pair well with “margherita pizza, charcuterie of prosciutto, salami & pancetta, mushroom risotto, spaghetti bolognese”, which is spot on (in other words, it pairs with just about anything). The site also stated: “This wine is suited for a vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diet.” I can state with 100% certainty that I have no idea if that assertion is true. No idea whatsoever. But this is a solid wine and at a SRP of $24? Yeah. So who cares? Excellent. 91 Points.

2023 Balverne Pinot Noir Forever Wild Rosé, Russian River Valley, CA: Retail $25. Under screw cap. Balverne Forever Wild Rosé of Pinot Noir has been a part of the last three World’s Largest Blind Tastings of American True Rosé, but this is the first time I have tried the 2023 vintage, oddly. I have really liked the other vintages of this wine I have tried and this is no exception. Bright red fruit from this pale salmon/pink wine, with cherry and strawberry the most prominent. The palate is wonderful with great fruit, a touch of minerality, and a zesty, tart, acidity. While this is a fun quaff, it also has the stuffing to be much more; this is certainly a gastronomic rosé which will enhance, and be enhanced by, food. Yum. Outstanding. 93 Points.

2018 Castelgiocondo (Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy: Retail $75. Responsible Bottle (595g; 20.9oz). Under cork. 100% Sangiovese. Honestly, I do not get a ton of Brunellos to review, so when this showed up on the doorstep, I was pretty excited. And that excitement was warranted here, medium color in the glass with plenty of dark fruit, a bit of dark pepper, some clove, and even a hint of basil. Lovely. The palate is classic Brunello with mostly reserved fruit, a driving acidity, an earthy aspect, and several layers of complexity. Excellent. 92 Points.

2024 Troon Vineyard Druid’s White, Applegate Valley, OR: Retail $30. Very Responsible Bottle (485g; 17.1oz). 35% Grenache Blanc, 35% Marsanne, 25% Vermentino, 5% Roussanne. DiAM closure. A bit of a Rhône/Provence style blend here with a touch of Vermentino (Rolle) added in with the Rhône varieties. Not much color in the glass, approaching a brilliant straw, I guess, with tropical fruit aromas (pineapple, lychee), a bit of honeycomb, and white acacia flower. The palate is also driven by the fruit, but with a zingy tartness and a lengthy finish. At $30? This is a fun, joyful wine that works well as an aperitif, with just about any seafood, or even just an upbeat romantic comedy (yeah, I am a softie). Excellent. 91 Points.

2024 Troon Vineyard Druid’s Red, Applegate Valley, OR: Retail $30. Very Responsible Bottle (485g; 17.1oz). 25% Syrah, 21% Cinsault, 20% Mourvèdre, 19% Carignan, 15% Grenache. I know I probably say this a lot, but this is one of the wines I always look forward to trying. First, it’s Troon. Perhaps the most environmentally conscious winery on the planet, the list of certifications that Troon boasts is truly impressive. Second, there is the wine itself, the nose is laden with fruit: boysenberry, blackberry, cherry, and raspberry are all just singing in the glass. There is also a touch of spice and an intense lilac component. Whoa. The palate is a continuation of that theme as the fruit is really the story, particularly initially, but this is far from a one-trick pony. Rich, complex, layered, and yeah, fruity, this is a joy to drink on many levels. Just a fantastic bottle of wine. Outstanding. 94 Points.