Reviewed by
Evelyn
My VitiBox is a French wine subscription box and it’s one of those boxes that I would highly recommend if you’re looking to get a gift subscription for someone special this year. The quality of the wines that you’ll receive from My VitiBox is fantastic because all of the bottles are chosen by the famed sommelier Philippe Defleur (former sommelier of La Tour d’Argent and the Élysée Palace), and this guy knows a thing or two about good wine!
Every month, you’ll receive your hand-picked selection which arrives in a shockproof box via courier into the UK and comes complete with Philippe’s Tasting Notes. This month’s selection features a bottle of red and a bottle of white, as part of My VitiBox‘s Colours And Flavours subscription.
Dominique Morel 2016, Fleurie
History: Created in the beginning of the 1900s, this family-owned winery has gone through several generations and now features 18 hectares which produce 12 appellations. The unique land is famous for its pink granite composition and Fleurie is one of the ten Beaujolais crus classes that have become famous in the region.
Grape: Made from 100% Gamay grapes which is the most used grape for this appellation, many within the industry say it is becoming more famous than Pinot Noir and it’s revered around the world for its rich ability to create a wine with few tannins.
Senses: In the glass, Dominique Morel’s 2016 Fleurie has a clear purple-red colour and a pleasant, expressive aroma of red, black and yellows fruits, with lots of spices. It’s bone-dry, lively, medium-bodied with a soft texture and acidity aftertaste. I really loved this one! It’s rich and fruity, but very easy to drink with notes of Strawberries, Blackberries, Pepper and Vanilla. It pairs well with dishes such as Roasted Chicken and Strawberry Soup, making it a versatile red wine for the festive season.
Château du Pouey 2017, Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh sec
History: Bastien Lannusse is a new winemaker at Château du Pouey and he has chosen to lean towards a much more organic viticulture which sticks with his personal values, something that is very exciting and becoming much more common in France.
Grape: This 2017 wine is made from a blend of 80% Gros Manseng and 20% Petit Manseng grapes. The cuvee comes from vineyards which are planted on a soil composed of clay and limestone, which gives the grapes a lot of freshness and power. This is an exceptional wine and its appellation is rare!
Senses: Boasting a golden yellow shiny hue, this wine has a rather explosive and pleasant aroma that’s bursting with fresh yellow fruits and lighter floral tones. I was taken aback as it’s so delightfully summery! On the palate, it’s sweet, fresh, medium-bodied with a sugary aftertaste and not surprisingly, it pairs very well with desserts such as Apricot Gingerbread – delicious!
