Benjamin Shirk

10

Incredibly lucky to even taste this, way outside of what I'm familiar with. First thing i noticed is how concentrated the nose is, extremely aromatic, red fruit with a creamy note and oak that is perfectly integrated. Normally I can smell when an ABV is this high but not with this wine. I can't believe how perfectly balanced it is - tannins, fruit, acidity, oak is all the perfect exact amounts so that nothing stands out on its own, but it has such concentrated flavor that everything stands out at the same time — 5 days ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.3

McCarthy & Schiering, $11

Bursting with tropical flavors, lots of pineapple and guava, almost reminds me of POG juice. Balanced with a crisp acidity and very easy to drink. Amazing for the price, I immediately went back and grabbed 2 more bottles — 3 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.3

McCarthy & Schiering, $27

Complex fruit, not too much oak, really nice — 4 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.2

McCarthy & Schiering, $21

Great Washington grenache, mineral and subtle oak — 4 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.4

McCarthy & Schiering, $17

Very aromatic nose, cherry and almost like a candied orange and black tea note, very nice and inviting. Similar notes on the plate with a fresh acidity, maybe some herbs and noticeable minerality. Reminds me of a Beaujolais, but with more complexity than I'm used to in a typical Beaujolais. My first Bardolino, and if this is what they're like, then I just found one of my new favorite appellations! — 2 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.2

McCarthy & Schiering, $19

Really really nice Dolcetto. Clean, light, well balanced. Fresh red fruits with that classic bitter almond note on the finish. — 3 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.4

Costco, $15

Wow wish I had more time to review this, very nice! Lots of tobacco, vegetal, and jammy fruits on the nose. Full bodied, great balance, with chocolate, rich fruit, and fragrant maybe slightly menthol herb notes. I loved it and from my limited experience it was one of the most unique wines I've had. Hope they still have it at Costco when I go back! — 4 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.5

McCarthy & Schiering, $19

Rich in color, pale yellow/golden, nose of honey, gooseberries, and a slight spicy funk that reminds me of orange wines, but I don't know if this has skin contact or not. Tropical and fresh, like unripe pineapple, and tangerine, really nice acidity, and a slightly green note on the finish. Absolutely loved this wine! — 2 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.4

McCarthy & Schiering - $16

Ripe apple and lemon zest on the nose.  Same on the palette with a slight saltiness, a little acidity, and a honey-like finish.  I personally really enjoyed this, might go back for more. — 3 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.3

McCarthy & Schiering, $18

Cloudy in the glass and nose of slight smokey oak and juicy berries. Super soft tannins on the palate, nice acidity, bright juicy mouth watering berries, oak is super well integrated and barely noticable. A little bit of anise sweetness and spice. Of all the Portuguese wines I've had this one reminds me the most of port. Absolutely loved it! — 3 years ago