It’s time for one more version of “Random Samples”–I sometimes get samples from advertising businesses and/or producers. These can usually be grouped collectively into some kind of over-arching theme: Drink Them and It Will Come, Summer season is Right here, So That Means (Extra) Rosé, If It Doesn’t Sparkle, It Doesn’t Matter.
Different occasions, I get only a bottle or two that don’t have any obvious connection or hyperlink. As an alternative of holding on to these bottles till the “proper” mixture comes alongside, I made a decision to hyperlink all these “random” bottles collectively, making their very own class (and, being the mathematics geek that I’m, “random pattern” has a little bit of a double entendre).
2022 Domaine Bousquet Malbec, Tupungato, Argentina: Retail $13. Extraordinarily Accountable (Bravo!) Bottle (394g; 13.9oz). Below screwcap. 100% Malbec. I’ve been sampling Domaine Bousquet for years now and in nearly each tasting word I’ve extolled the unbelievable worth of the wines. 12 months out and in, Bousquet produces incredible wines, all offered at a worth that may be a fraction of their relative “value”. And this Malbec just isn’t an exception. Fairly darkish within the glass with oodles of black fruit on the nostril: assume blackberry, plum, and cassis. Add in a touch of spice (black pepper, cardamom) and a floral facet (violet) and we’re on our approach. The palate is solely joyous with a boatload of fruit and simply sufficient acid to maintain it in verify. Like I mentioned, at twelve bucks? This over-delivers. Very Good. 89 Factors.
2023 Domaine Bousquet Sauvignon Blanc, Tupungato, Argentina: Retail $14. Extraordinarily Accountable Bottle (404g; 14.2oz). Below screw cap. Yet one more wine within the Bousquet lineup that over-delivers. I’m not an enormous fan of the range, but when extra Sauv Blancs have been like this? I’d be extra engaged, for positive. Nice aromatics with loads of citrus on the nostril with that attribute cat-pee aspect that usually is a turn-off however, once more, it actually works right here. A contact of creaminess on the mid-palate is incredible, however the end is a tad brief. Glorious. 90 Factors. Glorious. 91 Factors.
2022 Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon, Tupungato, Argentina: Retail $16. Extraordinarily Accountable Bottle (395g; 13.9oz). Screw cap. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Relating to nice values and accountable practices, there may be maybe no better producer on the planet than Domaine Bousquet. For years the vineyard has proven its dedication to the planet by producing natural fruit and sustainable packaging whereas creating great wines at reasonably priced costs. Bravo. And one other Bravo. Right here is one other instance. Darkish in colour with darkish, brambly fruit, dashes of spice, and earthy notes within the glass, the marvel continues on the palate with oodles of darkish fruit, the aforementioned spice, and a gritty, tannic end. Yeah. There’s a lot packed in right here and for round (or below) fifteen bucks? Discover me a extra compelling wine, I dare you. Glorious. 91 Factors.
2021 Chalmers Nero d’Avola, Heathcote, Victoria, Australia: Retail $30. Very Heavy Bottle (700g; 24.6oz). That is one other wine from the push by the oldsters of Victoria, Australia. Opaque, however nonetheless gentle in colour with predominantly vivid pink fruit on the nostril: Bing cherry, a little bit of spice, and even some pink licorice. The palate is on the sunshine aspect on the subject of Nero, significantly when in comparison with most Nero from Sicily, however there may be good fruit and a zingy acidity that actually defines this wine. Whereas maybe wanting a “Yowza”, it’s definitely shut. Glorious. 90 Factors.
2015 Meyye Wines Zinfandel Palachchak, Shenandoah Valley, CA: Retail $70. Stupidly Heavy Bottle (957g; 2lbs 1.7oz). 65% Picnic Hill Winery Zinfandel, 25% Alitia Winery Zinfandel, 10% Winddance Farms Syrah. The primary bottle I obtained was corked, even badly so. Oh nicely, it occurs. Once I notified the vineyard, they despatched out one other bottle, and that may be a plus. For positive. However the bottle remains to be extraordinarily heavy. And that may be a minus. For positive. They maintain this wine again for quite a lot of years earlier than releasing it, which is once more, a plus. Darkish. Even actually darkish within the glass with tons of uber-dark fruit (blackberry, plum) and much more darkish markers: pencil shavings, cedar, black pepper, cardamom, and an natural, principally minty facet. The palate, surprisingly, just isn’t as darkish because the nostril portended, however the minty word is entrance and heart with some fruit and touches of spice. Glorious. However please, please, loosen up the bottles. 91 Factors.
2020 Rodney Sturdy Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA: Retail $35. (Below $20 at my H-E-B). Heavy Bottle (667g; 23.5oz). 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. As I’ve written earlier than, and will definitely assert in future notes, Rodney Sturdy is maybe the singular greatest worth in Sonoma County. Properly, right here we go once more. Medium to darkish colour within the glass with loads of pink and brambly fruit on the nostril. Improbable. The palate is equally attractive with a great deal of fruit, tons of acidity, an earthy ground, and a prolonged end with some silky, however noticeable tannins. What else does one need in a Cab (or any wine, for that matter)? Glorious. 91 Factors.
