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).
2024 Lange Pinot Noir Classique, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $32. Responsible Bottle (540g; 19.0oz). Under screw cap. I first met Jesse Lange when he knocked on my door (or did he ring the bell?) a couple of years ago when he was passing through Houston on a sales trip. Since then, we have texted a few times, exchanged thoughts on the NCAA basketball tournament, and discussed plans to get together out in the Willamette Valley. While that last point still needs to b ironed out (but it will), Jesse sent me a couple of bottles of his flagship Pinot (along with some rosé) for me to try. Medium to dark in color with a classic Willamette Valley nose: red and dark berry fruit, a touch of earth, hints of spice, and plenty of intrigue. The palate is simply fantastic; fruity, (slightly) spicy, and loaded with a zingy tartness, this is just marvelous. And at right around thirty bucks? This might be one of the best bargains in the Valley. Excellent. 92 Points.
2024 Matanzas Creek Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, CA: Retail $25. Very Responsible Bottle (484g; 17.1oz). Under screw cap. It is rare that I get excited about a Sauvignon Blanc, but I think Mantanzas Creek does a fine job with the variety, and this is no exception. Fairly pale in the glass with a decided green tint, the nose exhibits plenty of grapefruit, fresh cut grass, and just a smidge of the characteristic cat pee. The palate is initially quite tart as an impressive wave of acidity leads the invasion, but it is quickly paired with that fruit (grapefruit and some lemon zest). There is also some white pepper and other spice, as well as an unexpected weighty mouth feel and plenty of verve. Yeah, I am no fan of the variety, but there is a reason I relish any contact I get with the Matanzas Creek iteration of the noble grape. This is quite good. Excellent. 92 Points.
2025 Pisoni Family Vineyards Gamay Noir Lucy, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA: Retail $30. Heavy Bottle (616g; 21.7oz). Wax seal. 100% Gamay. “Fermented with 60% whole clusters in open-top tanks to create a semi-carbonic environment.” This is now the third vintage of this wine that I have sampled. I loved the 2022 (94 Points) and the 2024 (93 Points), but this 2025 might be the best yet. Somewhat dark in color with a classic Gamay nose of red and black fruit and that bubblegum-kind-of-aroma that harkens back to just about every Beaujolais that I have ever had. But this Lucy is different, it is richer and fruitier than those Beaujolais wines; it might actually be what those Beaujolais strive to be. At thirty bucks? This is a steal. Outstanding. 95 Points.
2023 We Know Jack Outta Luck Single Block Syrah Jack Florence Sr. Vineyard, Rockpile AVA, Sonoma County, CA: Retail $50. Heavy Bottle (630g; 22.2oz). 100% Zinfandel? Under cork. I have tasted a few wines from We Know Jack, and I am a fan of the brand. It helps that the winemaker is James MacPhail (Tongue Dancer Wines, among others), who makes some really incredible wines for several producers in Sonoma County. As for this beauty? It is big, for sure, but there is much more to it. Inky dark in the glass with tons of blue fruit, violet, and hints of spice and oak. Yum. The palate is also a delight with all that fruit upfront but also loads of acidity, plenty of spice, and a zingy tartness that serves to unify the whole. Yeah, I typically love James’ wines, but add that this is a fantastic Zin and it comes from freakin’ Rockpile Vineyard? Yeah, sign me up! Outstanding. 93 Points.
2024 Maison Wessman This Life Rosé, IGP Méditerranée, France: Retail $18. Responsible Bottle (598g; 21.0oz). 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache. IGP Méditerranée Rosé. There is a lot here even before I get to the wine. First, the wine is made in association with Norah Jones, thus, yet another celeb collab. But I like Norah Jones, even a lot, so that makes it OK. Second, and I did not know this until right now, but Norah Jones’ father is Ravi Shankar, the famous sitarist who played with and influenced the Beatles. That has nothing to do with the wine (I don’t think), but I love the Beatles, so it counts. Third, this is an IGP Méditerrannée, which I visited a couple of years ago, so that counts as well. Medium to even dark in color (at least for a rosé) with a bundle of fruit aromas, cherry, strawberry, and maybe some rhubarb thrown in, along with a nice floral aspect and a hint of sweetness. The palate is much the same, with a nice tartness level, tons of fruit, so much so that it comes off a bit sweet, in fact. But it all works here; this is a nice rosé. Excellent. 91 Points.
the drunken cyclist 