Off to Vancouver, so a bit of time in BA’s T3 Galleries lounge. Sampled the wines, just as I did a couple of weeks ago.

Reata Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2016 California
14% alcohol. This is a new one to me, and it’s clearly a reasonably ambitious wine, although fairly technologically made. Quite rich with some apricot, pineapple and spice notes. Mouthfilling with good acidity. Lots going on here, and although it is ripe it shows good balance. 90/100

Morgadio Albariño 2017 Rias Baixas, Spain
Fresh and citrussy with clean, modern linear fruity flavours. Nice brightness. Polished commercial style. 87/100

Château Barde-Haut Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2011 Bordeaux, France
14% alcohol. Quite classic, combining sweet blackcurrant and berry fruits with some tar, ash and gravel notes. There’s some lushness, but it’s a bit drying on the finish. Still, there’s a lot to lie about this wine, which shows quite a bit of mellow development. 89/100

Cline Zinfandel 2014 Lodi, California
14% alcohol. Sweet and lush with a tea, ginger, cinnamon and herb edge to the ripe strawberry and cherry fruit. There’s also a savoury clove and cedar spiciness. It’s an unusual wine but it has quite a bit of appeal. I think you taste the winemaking here, as well as Zinfandel, which I usually struggle with a bit. 86/100

Château de Ruth Grande Selection Côtes du Rhône Villages Sainte Cecile 2016
14.5% alcohol. A private label wine for British Airways. Ripe, rich and slightly baked with pruny blackberry fruit. Lush, rich and warm. Grainy texture. Look: this is a well made, ripe wine, but that’s about all it is. Big, lush and ripe. 86/100

Sutil Carmenere Reserve 2016 Colchagua, Chile
Green edge to the sweet blackberry fruit. Quite chalky. Finishes green and awkward. It’s drinkable, but not enjoyable. Carmenere is a hard variety to get right. 82/100