Reviewed by
Evelyn
My VitiBox is a popular French wine subscription box where you’ll receive a surprise selection of high-quality wines delivered straight to your door every month. All of the wines are hand-selected by the famed sommelier Philippe Defleur (former sommelier of La Tour d’Argent and the Élysée Palace) so that you are guaranteed the highest quality, and Phillippe also includes his personal copy of Tasting Notes for you to savour the wines like a pro.
This month’s My VitiBox recently arrived just in time for this current heatwave, so let’s see what’s inside, shall we?
La Falaise 2017, Domaine du Landeyran, Saint-Chinian (14% vol)
History: Produced on ten hectares located next to the village of Causses-et-Veyrans, Domaine du Landeyran is highly involved in preserving the local environment and is currently in the process of achieving its organic certification. The first fully organic vintage will be available in 2021, but for now, this great Saint-Chinian proudly demonstrates the quality of the wines that are coming from this small-scale producer.
Grape: Made from a triple blend of 50% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 15% Carignan, this wine makes the most of all the different flavours at play for an exceptional glass of red.
Senses: In the glass, it has a deep Garnet red colour with shiny highlights, and on the nose, it boasts a pleasant and expressive aroma. Taste-wise, it’s medium-bodied and bone-dry yet still retains a fresh quality with marked tannins and a strong and smooth texture. Notes of Blackcurrant, Licorice and Black Pepper dominate for a deliciously fruity and spicy wine that you can enjoy with dishes such as Roasted Lamb and desserts like Poached Peaches.
Domaine Doma Nova D&D Ermitage Roussillon 2017 (12.5% vol)
History: Domaine Doma Nova which means ‘New House’ in Catalan, takes its name from a neighbouring hermitage that’s well known in the region. Located in a small valley 450 metres high and surrounded by lots of junipers, the vines here in Roussillon thrive in very dry soils which produces small concentrated grapes that are full of deep flavour.
Grape: This red is made from 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah.
Senses: To the eye, this wine looked almost identical to the one above – it has a shiny deep Garnet shade with a pleasant and expressive aroma. On the palate, though it’s very different with a bone-dry, light-bodied composition featuring soft tannins and a smooth texture. This wine is a lot fruitier with notes of Morello Cherries and Blueberries, blended with spices and herbs such as Nutmeg and Thyme. It pairs well with Sundried Tomatoes, Paella and sweets such as Brioche with Blackcurrant Jelly.
