Reviewed by
Evelyn
My VitiBox is a monthly wine subscription box that’s aimed at consumers who appreciate and want to try out high-quality French wines. The emphasis truly is on quality here as all of the wines that are sent out to subscribers have been are chosen by the famed sommelier Philippe Defleur (former sommelier of La Tour d’Argent and the Élysée Palace), so you know that you’re getting the good stuff!
Boxes are shipped to the UK via courier and come complete with a set of Phillippe’s very own Tasting Notes to help you get the most out of your wines.
As usual, May’s My VitiBox features a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine, as part of their popular Colours and Flavours subscription.
Château de Manissy 2017, Côtes-du-Rhône – Oracle (13.5%)
History: Starting with the red, this time we are treated to a true Côtes-du-Rhône special edition called Oracle from Château de Manissy. Originally developed by a congregation of monks who planted the first vines at the start of the 20th century, Château de Manissy is now run by a young winemaker named Florian André who has converted the whole estate to organic agriculture, a growing trend for sustainability in French winemaking.
Grape: Oracle is made from a triple blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Counoise and 15% Carignan. This mixture involves two lesser-known grapes and adds a unique flavour to an already interesting wine.
Senses: To the eye, this wine has a marked and shiny purple-red appearance, whilst on the nose, it has a pleasant and expressive aroma of dried fruits and spices. On the palate, it’s bone-dry, medium-bodied with marked soft tannins and notes of Prunes, Morello Cherries, Liquorice, Cocoa and Coffee. It pairs well with dishes such as Roasted Lamb and Garlic and desserts like Pears which can be poached in this lovely red wine.
Domaine des Peyre – Gusto 2018 (12.5%)
History: Mont Ventoux is getting more and more recognition among the traditional Rhone Valley appellations, and Domaine des Peyre is one of the leading vineyards in this beautiful region of France which has stunning views all around. Fun fact, ‘Ventoux’ means ‘windy’ in Provencal and it’s this wind that keeps the fragile white grapes used in Gusto healthy.
Grape: Another triple blend treat, this time with 25% Viognier, 10% Roussanne and 65% Grenache – a typical white wine of this region but with added character and flavour to stand out from the rest.
Senses: With its straw yellow shiny appearance and pleasantly expressive fruity aroma, Gusto is a white wine that’s perfect for the Summer months. It’s bone-dry, medium-bodied with a smooth texture and acidic aftertaste that’s bursting full of fresh Peach, Apricot, and Almond flavours. It pairs well with Creamy Risotto dishes and Almond and Apricot Pie.
