Highlights: Some lounge wine surprises – Cos Labory, Bouchon Granito and others
Just on my way back from India. Economy class, of course, but status ensures lounge use, and this time I was pleasantly surprised by some of the lounge offerings.
The return flight involves a stop off in Hamad International Airport in Doha, where the Champagne is Lanson (recently reviewed, really like it) and the red wine is a beautiful claret drinking perfectly now. It’s a very spacious, quiet airport and I’m tempted to use Quatar again heading out eastwards.
On the way out, the BA lounge had a big Whispering Angel display (full marks to LVMH for their marketing and brand partnership astuteness), but also the Bouchon Family Wines Granito Semillon, which is a proper wine of the sort not normally pouring in the lounge. Some notes:
Bouchon Granito Special Edition Semillon 2019 Maule, Chile
Bright and lively with a stony undercurrent to the vibrant lemony fruit. Nice freshness with slight spiciness and nice layers of citrus and mineral. Bright and expressive with lovely fruit and texture. 92/100
Whispering Angel Rosé 2023 Côtes de Provence, France
This isn’t bad, considering the quantities it’s made in. And the branding and packaging are spot on. Very pale pink. Aromatic with pear drops and glacé cherries. Nice texture here with some sweet fruit. Textural, easy and delicious. Nice depth here. 89/100
Château Cos Labory 2017 St Èstephe, Bordeaux, France
This fifth growth is open for business and complete: this may be from a lesser vintage but it’s drinking beautifully now with ripe, generous blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with fine gravelly detail. It’s showing a little evolution and more than a little elegance. Chalky and mineral on the finish. 93/100
