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 overarching 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).

2025 Pasqua 11 Minutes Odi et Amo Rosé, Trevenezie, Italy: Retail $20. Heavy Bottle (602g; 21.2oz). Glass stopper. 50% Corvina, 25% Trebbiano, 15% Syrah, 10% Carmenère. Wow, it has been a minute since I have written a note on this wine (looks like the 2019 vintage) and while I was a fan back then? I am still a fan today. Juicy red fruit all over the nose and the palate with cherry, strawberry, a hint of watermelon–this really exudes summer for me (and I say that as a firm believer that we all should drink rosé year-round). All that fruit is accompanied by a touch of sweetness (5.5 g/l) that works since this is also packed with a powerful punch of tartness that smacks the lips instantly and remains through the lengthy finish. Yeah, I know, the bottle is a bit dumb–there is little chance you can fit it in a wine rack, but it is so juicy and fun, you will just want to pop it immediately anyway. Excellent. 91 Points.

2025 Troon Vineyard Vermentino, Applegate Valley, OR: Retail $35. Very Responsible Bottle (481g; 16.9oz). Under DIAM5. I have now reviewed numerous vintages of the Troon Vermentino and even though every year I lament the fact that they no longer refer to it as “Rolle” (what the French call the variety), I remain particularly smitten with this wine. Medium color, a brilliant straw in the glass, with a boatload of fruit aromas in the glass: pear, peach, pineapple, and a touch of Golden Delicious apple. There is also the characteristic floral aspect of white hyacinths and just a touch of spice. Yum. The palate is rich, fruity, tart, and engaging with a lively “je ne sais quoi” that turns any occasion into a happy event; there is no way to drink this wine without a smile on your face. Just a joyous wine. Outstanding. 94 Points.

2023 Troon Vineyard Syrah Estate, Applegate Valley, OR: Retail $45. Very Responsible Bottle (481g; 16.9oz). Under DIAM. 100% Syrah. Oh boy. Here we go. When I first started out, getting samples for my wine writing, there was not much thought other than “Holy crap, they are sending me this wine (free!) for me to taste? And while I can attest that I took that responsibility seriously, there was still a sense that “This won’t last, so have some fun.” Well, this is now the fifth vintage of this wine from Troon that I have tried, and frankly, I am running out of superlatives. I have documented my “relationship” with the winery in countless posts and my connection with Troon’s GM Craig Camp predates all of that. So where are we? This wine transcends the usual observations (dark in the glass with intense black fruit, spice, balance, and verve) and causes me to focus outside the bottle. The Demeter and Regenerative Organic Certified certifications, the health and apparent happiness of the vineyard and staff, and the knowledge that the folks at Troon are succeeding at more than making beautiful wines; they are setting an example of not what winemaking can or should be, but what it must be. Yet all that happens in a rather subdued, “This is just what we do” kind of mindset that is not only refreshing but clearly also healthy. Yeah, I love what Troon is doing, and yes, more (all?) wineries need to adapt their approach, but until they do? I will shout as loud as I can about what they are doing in the tiny Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon. Outstanding. 94 Points.

2024 G.D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy: Retail $25. Very Responsible Bottle (411g; 14.4oz). 100% Barberra. From one of the more respected names in the region, this Barbera is a delight and a prime example (of which Burgundy should take note), that affordable, tasty wines are still a possibility in a region that has really taken off in the last decade or two. Medium to dark in the glass with dark and red fruit plentiful as is a mossy earthiness and a lovely floral component. Yum. The palate is fruity, tart, slightly earthy, an simple delectable. There is a touch of complexity on the finish, but make no mistake, this is a quaffable wine, a Tuesday (or Wednesday) pizza night wine that will enthrall the casual drinker as well as the wine snob. Fantastic. 91 Points.

2024 We Know Jack Zinfandel Riff Raff Jack Florence Sr. Vineyard, Rockpile, Sonoma County, CA: Retail $35. Heavy Bottle (647g; 22.7oz). Under cork. I have tasted a few vintages of this wine now, and I have to say, they have been rock-solid (pun kind of intended). As a Zin, in my opinion, you need to embrace the fruit, since there is a ton of it. But there also needs to be acidity and at least a modicum of intrigue to help set it apart. Well. Dark in the glass, even really dark, and maybe even “inky dark” with tons of black (blackberry, cassis) and blue (plum) fruit. Yowza. There are also some aroma notes of violet and just a touch of earth. On the plate? This is certainly a “young’un” (Southern term), though, and will likely improve over the next 3-5 years (at least). Initially showing a wave of juicy, concentrated fruit and a lip-smacking tartness to play along nicely with all of that fruit. But there is also some depth and intrigue, if you are patient enough to look for it. Yes, it is big, and it sure is boisterous, but isn’t that what you are searching in a Zin? Excellent. 91 Points.