92
points
Meador 2000 Maverick Syrah (Arroyo Seco)
-
$50
Another major success from Ventana. Starts with complex aromas of meat, smoky oak and cassis, then turns wonderfully flavorful in the mouth, with an explosion of currant, cherry, plum, chocolate and spice. Feels dense and lush. Finishes very dry, with tannins to shed.
— S.H.
(9/1/2004)
83
points
Meador 1998 Maverick Syrah (Arroyo Seco)
-
$50
The bouquet of black-cherry and cranberry fruit wears a weedy, vegetal mantle that appears early. There’s some nice pepper, caramel and clove notes on the palate, even a ripe, figgy quality to fruit, but ultimately they’re done in by the tart green shadow. Our panel found the wine hard to warm up to.
— W.E.
(11/1/2001)