Sonoma Coast

Ahhhhhh...
Really good Syrah is hard to beat. Fresh and deep aromas of blackberry pie, exotic spices giving warm depth and complexity, and brilliant acidity that makes the mouth water. This is a wine that does more than please the senses, it evokes great memories. Wines that encourage introspection and reflection do more than simply taste good, they transcend. Sounds a bit corny? Perhaps, but you know it's true. I'd be willing to bet you can remember exactly where you were and who you were with when you last tasted a favorite wine.
Sonoma Coast Vineyards' Syrah Hummingbird Hill Vineyard Sonoma Coast, California does that for me. Just thinking of it reminds me of the rolling hills outside of Occidental, California, when the warm sun releases the scents of the wild rosemary, fennel, and lavender that grows like shrubs around almost every corner. (This wine brings me back to that time when all that mattered was "what to put on the grill tonight?")
Only 293 cases of this beautiful artwork were made, giving it that nostalgic, bittersweet characteristic that can't be tasted, but savored in a finish that lasts a lifetime...

a.ferguson

The Wine Blue Book? Heck Yes! If you are serious about wine and shopping for it, this is a tool you absolutely need to prepare yourself for the ever changing market of vinous commerce. Not only can you find ratings, but a unique Quality Index percentage. Finally a wine rating system that delivers true information based on price AND quality. The lower the percentage, the better value/ quality per dollar ratio. Brilliant. My tasting schedule sure isn't what it used to be, and this handy reference helps me keep up with what wines are out there.

I've never been a ratings whore, and many of you know me as one who eschews Speculo- advocated media sensationalism, but when I run across a wine that I am not sure about, this guide answers the Big Question: "Yes, but is it worth it?"

Next time you ask yourself the Big Question, it should be while your nose is in The Wine Blue Book, not in a wine glass full of regret.

a.ferguson.