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, $27

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

9.2

McCarthy & Schiering, $14

Slightly smokey and spiced dried cherry and raspberry on the nose. Dried fruit/prune with tons of anise and baking spice flavors that almost over power the fruit. Somehow with all these rich flavors it's still not heavy bodied and has plenty of fresh acidity with a silky finish like chocolate. Kind of reminds me of a lighter brighter Malbec. Tons of complexity, really well balanced, and a bit different than the CdR I've had experience with. Really great value. — 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

9.3

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

9.3

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

9.6

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

Benjamin Shirk

9.0

McCarthy & Schiering, $21

Translucent red in the glass, you could probably convince me it was a rosé it's so light. Surprisingly full bouquet of tart red berries, rubber, and a peppery bite. Very light and delicate, mainly tart cranberry with a touch of cream. At first I was underwhelmed, feeling like it just tasted of watered down cranberry juice, but the more I tasted the more I appreciated just how damn well balanced it is. Bright beautiful bouquet, just enough acidity, delicate secondary flavor notes dancing around the light cranberry/cherry, and just enough tannins to give texture and something to think about on the finish. Dangerously gulpable. If it was under $15 I'd completely stock up, but it is still a great experience at the $21 I paid — 2 years ago