Reviewed by
Evelyn
For fans of French wine, you can’t go wrong with the high standards that you’ll find with a subscription to My VitiBox. This monthly French wine club sends out boxes of wine to subscribers which have been carefully hand-selected by the famed sommelier Philippe Defleur (former sommelier of La Tour d’Argent and the Élysée Palace). The boxes are dispatched via courier to the UK in sturdy ‘shockproof’ boxes, and inside, you’ll also receive of Phillippe’s Tasting Notes to allow you to discover and fully appreciate the wines that you are sampling.
June’s My VitiBox arrived over the weekend, just in time for a heatwave and were favourably appreciated by everyone who came around for a BBQ! I received a bottle of red and a bottle of rosé as part of their popular Colours and Flavours subscription.
Le Rosé 2018, Mas Neuf, Pays d’Oc (12% vol)
History: Beginning with the rosé which is presented in a beautiful bottle, the family history surrounding this wine began in 1870 in Languedoc where their headquarters still remain to this day. In the 1970s, they were amongst the first to understand that organic agriculture was not only a good choice for the environment and for your own health, but also for the enhanced quality of the wines that can be created. The Jeanjean family are in their fifth generation and are some of the famous French pioneers for promoting the benefits of growing organic grapes.
Grape: An unusual quadruple blend of grapes mixing white with black makes this rosé stand out from the rest and it’s Philippe’s number one rosé to enjoy for the Summer. Its composition is 40% Carignan, 40% Grenache, 10% Colombard and 10% Muscat Petits Grains.
Senses: Given the fact that it boasts four different grape varieties, it’s no surprise that this wine has a pleasant and expressive aroma that’s bursting with fruity notes. In the glass, it has the most stunning clear peach colour, and on the palate, it’s bone-dry with lively acidity, soft texture and medium-bodied nature. Notes of Grapefruit, Apple, Pear and Red Currants are dominant for a refreshing and fruity flavour. It pairs well with Salmon and Prawn dishes and desserts such as Almond Pie. One of the nicest rosé wines that I have experienced in a long time!
La Cadierenne 2017, Côtes de Provence (13.5%)
History: La Cadierenne is a group of winemakers that has grown from 37 members to around 400 in the last 90 years. Located in Côtes de Provence, the high levels of requirements of membership from the management means that the wines here are some of the finest quality in all of France. Grapes are harvested by hand at a precise level of ripeness, and this particular wine is elaborated from the same grapes as a rosé, but formulated for a red which is interesting!
Grape: There are five grape varieties working hard here – 40% Mourvèdre, 20% Carignan, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah and 5% Grenache.
Senses: In the glass, this wine has a lovely shiny ruby red appearance which is matched by a pleasant and expressive fruity aroma on the nose. In the mouth, this red is full-bodied, bone-dry with strongly marked tannins, and yet still retaining a fresh appeal and smooth texture. Blackberry and Blackcurrant dominate here with subtler hints of Licorice and Thyme adding extra hints of flavour. It pairs well with dishes containing Artichoke, Picodon Cheese or serve simply with chocolate biscuits for an evening treat.
