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. — 7 months ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.3

McCarthy & Schiering, $27

Complex fruit, not too much oak, really nice — 2 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.5

McCarthy & Schiering, $17

First thing I notice is how pale the color is, it looks like a dark rosé, with a brick red color. Nose is very aromatic candied fruit punch, reminds me of some Beaujolais I've had. Very light bodied but flavorful with lots of juicy fruit. Nice bright acidity but not too much, and mild smooth tannins. I drank it too fast to get more detailed notes but I couldn't help it, this is like an even lighter Beaujolais so it is right up my alley and I absolutely loved it. It's unfortunate it seems like an uncommon grape variety and it's more known for its sweet reds. I'll have to keep an eye out. — 2 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.3

McCarthy & Schiering, $50

Bittersweet occasion and went way above my budget to celebrate my birthday and also mourn Grandma Julie's passing. She loved CdP so thought I'd splurge on one. I've only had a couple but have loved every one I tried. This was a bit different, I'm used to bright fruit forward but this was very muted cooked dark fruit with a lot of emphasis on the baking spice and earthy tobacco notes. Incredibly complex - licorice, coffee, clove, tobacco with an underlying subtle dried/cooked dark fruit. Crazy smooth, but I'm comparing it to sub $20 wines that I'm used to, and you can barely tell that it's 15% alc. Nice tannins but I think it would benefit from a touch more acidity. I'm being picky since I paid so much for it but in summary it's one of the best made wines I've ever had, but not among my favorites. But it's still a great experience and I don't regret the purchase — 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. — 10 months 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! — a year ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.0

McCarthy & Schiering, $26

Dark concentrated purplish red color. Tons of oak on the nose with raisin-like dark fruit. Tastes similar, lots of oak and tobacco notes that almost gives it a bitter quality, followed by a jammy blackberry. Very smooth and soft while also having high grippy tannins, really nice balance of acidity. This is a bit too oaked for my personal tastes but still really enjoyed it nonetheless, very well-made wine and was a pleasure trying such an unusual grape varietal. — 2 years 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 — a year ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.2

McCarthy & Schiering, $21

Great Washington grenache, mineral and subtle oak — 2 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.6

McCarthy & Schiering, $17

Wow I don't think I've ever reviewed a white wine because I don't really drink them because I very rarely have had one that I like. This one finally changed my opinion, I love it. Lots of citrus zest on the nose with a touch of pear. Acidity that hits you in the face but it isn't harsh at all. More citrus zest and pear notes and maybe floral, with a slight honey sweetness on the finish that reminds me of a really nice caramelized pear dessert. I get none of the fermented funk that I always associate with white wines that makes me steer clear, maybe I've just been drinking shit white wine before now — 2 years ago