On my way to Aus - tasting some lounge wines

I'm in the BA lounge on my way to Singapore, where I'm going to catch up with some of my wine chums and then get back on the plane to head for Adelaide.

There's a nice selection of wines, which I'm trying now. I'll blog them live.

Champagne Piper Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV
Taut, toasty and quite rich with some complex bready, toasty notes on the palate. Quite complex and full - this is very tasty. 90/100

Sin Palabras Castro Valdes Albarino 2007 Rias Baixas, Spain
This is interesting. The winery is obviously very modern: they mix the case of the lettering on the front label seemingly randomly. The wine is a bit Viognier-like, with nice depth of nutty fruit, some peach and pear notes, good texture and a fresh finish. Likeable stuff. 89/100 see www.sinpalabras.com.es

Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 'Steen op Hout' 2008 South Africa
Richly textured, bold, complex and nutty with sweet pear and melon fruit as well as a hint of vanilla. A rich style of Chenin that's broad and delicious. A fat, seductive style. 89/100

Eric Texier Crozes Hermitage 2007 Northern Rhone, France
This is nice. It's not a big, obvious, meaty style of Crozes, but instead shows more in the way of elegance. It's sappy, smooth, fresh and has gently peppery cherry fruit. It tastes like a really good Beaujolais, with its juicy, open character. Delicious. 91/100

Boutinot Les Hauts Terrasses Gigondas 2007 Southern Rhone, France
This is sweet, a bit spicy and nicely fruity, but overall a little bit bland. It's tasty and ripe, but it's really showing a lot of interest at the moment. 86/100