Lunch with the usual suspects at Shangri-La Makati's Red.
Domaine de la Soumade Les Violettes 1999 - Not pure Syrah but mostly Syrah. Very dark. Attractive nose. Soft and ripe. Dry, with good acidity and length. Real easy to drink at probably at peak now. Excellent and my favorite in this lineup.
Jackson Triggs Okanagan Estate Sun Rock Vineyard Shiraz 2006 - A little oaky and hot on the nose. Bitter chocolate. Good balance and structure. Rich mouthfeel but quite dry. Good length. New Worldy. Good but no wow.
Kenneth Crawford Purisima Mountain Vineyard Santa Ynez Valley, California 2003 - Coca Cola and chocolate. Very dark. Quite ripe. The oak is well integrated in the flavor although it is very obvious in the nose. After 2 hours, some leather and old books. Good.
Guigal Hermitage Ex Voto 2001 - A little hot. Sweet and dried herbs or tea on the nose. Coffee. Tight now but has lots of complexity. After an hour and a half, a little stinky. Definitely needs an a few years to show its full potential. Very good now but should be excellent in 5 years or so.
Amon-Ra Shiraz 2003 - Caramel, espresso and sweet, ripe fruit. The oak is quite subdued which is a good thing. Rich and ready. Very good.
Lucas and Lewellen Late Hrvest Sauvignon Blanc 2005 - Light green cast. Very powerful sweet corn aroma and flavor. Medium bodied with burnt sugar on the finish. Interesting and very good.