Reviewed by
Evelyn
December is the month of treating yourself to good food and drink, so why not try My VitiBox? The monthly French wine subscription box sends you two bottles of quality wine that’s been selected by the famed sommelier Philippe Defleur (former sommelier of La Tour d’Argent and the Élysée Palace).
Inside the box, you’ll also find a copy of Philippe’s Tasting Notes so that you can learn more about the wines that are enclosed, as well as tasting them like a true professional, and I always find his selections to be on-point every single time! This month’s MyVitibox includes a bottle of white and a bottle of red as part of their Colours And Flavours subscription.
Les Parcelles 2015, Château Pontey Lamartine, Graves
History: Graves means pebbles in French, and the name is given to the appellation which features many small stones in the composition of its environment in the Bordeaux region. The vines that belong to the Château Pontey Lamartine have been in Dominique Haverlan’s family for generations and he now uses the land to produce independent wines that make the most out of this beautiful terroir.
Grape: This 2015 vintage is made from 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon grape which gives the wine a traditional aromatic flavour which is the region is famed for.
Senses: Boasting a ruby red colour in the glass and a pleasantly expressive aroma on the nose, this beautiful red is bone-dry, yet fresh and medium-bodied. It has marked tannins and a smooth texture, with lots of rich fruity notes of Blackberry and Cassis, combined with spices such as Clove and Licorice. It tastes very Christmassy! This wine pairs well with Roasted Lamb dishes and desserts such as Poached Pears.
L’Inédit 2018, Vignobles Jeanjean, Pays d’Oc
History: Described as a unique wine by Philippe, this new 2018 vintage is a surprisingly rare find from a five generation winemaker family based just south of Montpellier. Their vines have been grown by the Jeanjean family for many decades on a red clay soil which adds essential water to an area that suffers from frequent droughts. Yet it’s the ideal mixture for creating elaborate white wines such as this one!
Grape: Made from two grapes, 60% Muscat Petits Grains and 40% Sauvignon, this wine is rather unusual as most don’t contain this kind of blend from this region. The result is a complex and refreshing new vintage to savour for the holidays.
Senses: In the glass, this wine has a straw yellow appearance with a brilliant shine and a pleasantly explosive aroma that’s bursting full of fresh citrus fruits. Likewise, the taste is fresh, semi-sweet, medium-bodied with a long finish that makes it very drinkable! All of those fruity flavours really come through with Lemon and Mango being dominant, whilst there are some subtle floral notes to add balance. Pairing well with Shrimp Risotto and Pineapple Salad, it’s a very interesting and tasty white wine to brighten up a rainy December.
