Reviewed by
Evelyn
Fans of fine wines will do well to check out My VitiBox, a subscription box which sends you two bottles of wine that have been hand-picked by the famed sommelier Philippe Defleur (former sommelier of La Tour d’Argent and the Élysée Palace) every month.
Delivered in a sturdy shockproof box via courier into the UK, My VitiBox is accompanied by Philippe’s expert Tasting Notes which allows subscribers to taste the enclosed wines like a true professional taking in all of the senses.
As part of the Colours And Flavours subscription, I received two bottles of red wine this month:-
Comte de Tauzac Malbec 2014, Rigal, Cahors
History: I was very pleased to see a Malbec in the box as it’s my favourite type of red wine, and this one is steeped in history. Created in 1755 in Cahors, Maison Rigal developed a unique know-how with the now infamous Malbec grape, and they are still working with the same vineyards to this day to deliver some of the finest wines in the South-West of France.
Grape: This wine is made from 100% Malbec grapes which grows in abundance in the soil of the Cahors region. In foreign countries, Malbec is often referred to as ‘Black Wine’ because of its intensely dark colour.
Senses: As expected in the glass, this wine has a classic dark Garnet colour with a shiny brilliance. On the nose, you’ll discover a pleasant and expressive aroma that’s dominated by Spices and Black Fruits. Comte de Tauzac is a delicious semi-sweet wine with a fresh and medium-bodied structure. It has marked tannins with a smooth texture and is full of rich flavours with notes of Vanilla, Blueberry, and Blackcurrant coming through. This wine pairs well with dishes featuring Roquefort, Roasted Duck, Morbier and Coffee Eclairs.
Tres Lagunas 2015, Bodega Borsao, Campo de Borja, Espagne
History: For something different, My VitiBox has included a Spanish wine this month. Campo de Borja is one of the soaring wine appellations in Spain and this treasure from Bodega Borsao is ranked 39 amongst the world’s best Bodegas, from an area which is now home to more than 375 winegrowers. In the old days, this region was known for producing wines that had a lot of alcohol in them, but nowadays, the wines are much more refined and subtler, yet winemakers have still managed to preserve their own identity.
Grape: Tres Lagunas is made from a triple blend of grapes that features a composition of 85% Grenache, 10% Tempranillo and 5% Syrah. These grapes are sourced from vineyards where the soil is stony and rich in organic matter, with good drainage to allow strong stocks that produce the highest quality when it comes to flavour.
Senses: This wine has a cheerful and shiny Cherry red colour which is matched by a pleasant and expressive aroma of Red Fruits and Flowers. Like the Malbec above, it’s also fresh, semi-sweet and medium-bodied with soft marked tannins and a silky texture. It’s very fruity and is bursting full of Strawberry, Cherry and Raspberry flavours with a hint of Rose thrown in for good measure. This wine pairs well with Tapas dishes, Lamb Tagine and desserts such as Chocolate and Raspberry Tartlets.
