Continuing our British Airways tasting notes theme, I took the following notes last October on their collection of maturing red bordeaux. The image (visible on the home page) is one of the hundreds of distinctly superior bottle shots on Berry Bros' website. The wines are listed in the order tasted.
16.5
/20
Red
Deep crimson with hardly any evolution. Sweet and rich on the nose. Lots of pleasure and spice with a very slightly odd camphor note. Fades a bit fast. (JR)
Drink:
2011
–
2020
16
/20
Red
Very deep crimson. Rather odd wood note. Then well behaved, suave fruit at first with the pretty astringent tannins emerging only at the end. (JR)
Drink:
2013
–
2020
Red
A slightly grey look to this. Sweet and a bit simple. Very light and readable and early maturing. (JR)
Drink:
2010
–
2016
17.5
/20
Red
Healthy crimson. Nicely melded on the nose. Lovely freshness and delicacy. Dry finish. Really nice classic claret though not a BIG wine. (JR)
Drink:
2011
–
2022
16.5
/20
Red
Very dark crimson. Nicely silky nose – really Margaux. Silky texture, maybe not the freshest acidity but good round fruit and nicely precise. Not very powerful but very well balanced. (JR)
Drink:
2011
–
2019
16.5 +
/20
Red
Dark and brooding. Still a bit of oak on the nose. Very backward. Rugged tannins and pretty austere fruit at the moment. To be kept for a long time, very dry! (JR)
Drink:
2014
–
2024
15.5
/20
Red
Mid depth of crimson. Slightly harsh nose but easy and fresh. Some energy here but not much finesse. Pretty rustic tannins on the finish. (JR)
Drink:
2012
–
2019
16.5
/20
Red
Smudgy crimson. Fruity and a bit simple. Sweet and easy and a wine that would be easy to appreciate at the cool temperature that is habitual on a plane. But objectively not a great wine. (JR)
Drink:
2010
–
2019
Red
Dark and glossy. Correct and quite intense. Soft and smooth – much softer tannins than most 2004s. Beautifully managed! Bravo! You could drink this young but it will probably last well too. (JR)
Drink:
2011
–
2022
16.5
/20
Red
Mild ruby. Light, fully developed nose. Juicy sweet fruit. Much more forward than most six-year-old such wines would be, with a good core of juicy fruit. Serve this one soon! (JR)
Drink:
2009
–
2014
16
/20
Red
Dark glowing crimson. Sweet, easy and glossy with a hint of leafiness. A nice package for early drinking. Just a little chew on the end but relatively light tannins. (JR)
Drink:
2009
–
2014
15.5
/20
Red
Bright crimson. Lightly charred, smoky note. Pretty lightweight. This wine is not going to go anywhere. (JR)
Drink:
2007
–
2011
Red
Very dark for a 2002. Scented. Sweet start and definitely not BIG but well judged even if in a minor key. Some slight spritz. Not persistent. (JR)
Drink:
2009
–
2014
16.5
/20
Red
With quite a bit of evolution at the rim. Really quite a lot of ripeness. Attractively soft and easy. Good dry charcoal-biscuit finish makes it appetising. Nice wine. (JR)
Drink:
2009
–
2015
16.5
/20
Red
Dark ruby with considerable evolution at the rim. Lightly funky nose, round, mellow fruit. Very easy to like the soft juicy fruit now but there is some density. (JR)
Drink:
2010
–
2020
Red
Rather pale ruby. Vibrant fruit. Very correct though in lesser vintage mode. Still some dry tannins on the finish. Not big but well balanced. Quite long. (JR)
Drink:
2010
–
2020
17.5
/20
Red
Dark and rich on the nose. A little funky on the nose but lovely, absolutely lovely polish on the palate. Smart stuff. Should be delicious over quite a long period. (JR)
Drink:
2008
–
2020
17
/20
Red
Dark crimson and very lively and meaty on the nose. Very nice balance and neatness. A real charmer. Should be good in the air because the tannins are very well melded. (JR)
Drink:
2008
–
2018
16
/20
Red
Lively ruby. Something a little bit reminiscent of charcoal on the nose. Sweet and simple and easy. Good for early drinking with some vivacity, but no great weight. (JR)
Drink:
2008
–
2011
16.5
/20
Red
Big and beefy and still very young and even quite raw. Still quite chewy. By no means the most delicious wine here even if it is the most recognisable and valuable! A bit jagged in terms of acidity. (JR)
Drink:
2010
–
2020
