Another airline lounge raid, 12 wines tried
Flying out to Hong Kong today so I did a lounge raid (T5 BA first class lounge – because of changes to the BA executive club qualifying rules, this is definitely the last time I’ll be in here: I mainly fly economy so for me to get Gold status was something of a miracle). 12 wines, and good to see English fizz being shown off to the world. But if this is the first class lounge, it’s a sorry state of play to be offering many of these wines that would have struggled to make business class standard a couple of decades back. I’m sure that First passengers get better wines on board. But business class selections, almost universally, are budget these days. It’s a shame for wine. Rant over.
I think this was my biggest lounge raid to date, but just tiny sips!
Planeta Alastro 2024 Menfi, Sicilia, Italy
Vivid and citrusy with some pithy edges. Lively and very fruity. 90/100
Clos Henri Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Marlborough, New Zealand
Real intensity. Lime and elderflower with a herby edge. Purecand quite mineral with high acid. 93/100
Donnofugata Vigna di Galvi 2023 Sicilia, Italy
Juicy peachy and intense with a hint of dairy and nice juiciness. Fresh and rich at the same time. 90/100
Martinborough Te Tera Pinot Noir 2022 Martinborough, New Zealand
Floral cherry fruit nose. Juicy, herby, tangy palate is quite pretty. Some secondary savouriness here. 91/100
Torre Mora Chiuse Vidalba Etna Rosso 2021 Sicilia, Italy
Ripe and spicy with some savoury notes as well as sweet cherry and plum fruit. Satisfying. Might have been better two years ago? 90/100
Miral Syrah 2024 Sicilia, Italy
Ripe, juicy and sweetly fruited with lovely cherry and blackberry fruit. A real crowd pleaser and nicely balanced. 89/100
Balfour Rosé de Noirs NV England
Juicy and fruity with a touch of sweetness offsetting the red cherry and pear fruit. Massive drinkability here. Stylish. 90/100
Wiston Brut NV England
Tart and lively with appealing lemon and cherry fruit with a zesty edge. Has great balance with lively fruit, keen acidity and a touch of sweetness. 90/100
Simpsons Chalklands Classic Cuvée NV England
Lovely fruit here, with flesh on the bones. Bright lemon and pear with a hint of peach, showing a lovely flow across the palate. Just a hint of toastiness, too. 91/100
Whispering Angel Rosé 2024 Côtes de Provence, France
Balanced and appealing with cherry, watermelon and pear fruit. Nice drinkability with no surprises. 88/100
Champagne Besserat de Bellefon Grande Tradition Brut Rosé NV France
Juicy and appealing with sweet cherry, mandarin and lime fruit. Brisk acidity keeps the focus. Nicely drinkable. 91/100
Champagne Aberlé 1757 Brut NV France
3/4 years on lees, 6 g/l dosage. Bright and lively with pear and peach richness and hints of toast. Nice depth here but also freshness. Very stylish. 91/100
