Xavier and Jean-René Dhommé, Domaine Dhommé (2006)  

The Dhommés come from a family of rope makers and their old cellar on an island in the Loire across the river from Chalonnes-sur-Loire was originally built for this purpose. They became vignerons three generations ago with the inheritance of Le Clos de Frasnaies, a revered lieu dit in Chalonnes and have recently constructed a new cellar at the edge of the town. They entered Savennières in 2006 after Antoine Vivier relinquished part of his rented vines in Les Fougeraies back to Baron Brincard.

Wine Overview:  
The inaugural 2006 vintage was aged in three year old barriques for six months before bottling in April 2007. No malolactic, although batonnage was employed. 2,000 bottles produced. The 2007 (tasted in February 2008) was still in barrel and had not completed fermentation. This will go through malolactic and is destined to spend longer in barrel.

The Wines:  
The Dhommés are competent winemakers and have obviously benefited from the experience of growing Chenin on the same schistous soils that are found in the vineyards of Chalonnes-sur-Loire.

2007 Les Fougerais
Clean and fresh but a little simple with some faint salinity on the nose. Clean and simple on entry. Some slate-like minerality behind the good fresh acidity. There is a faint bitter twist on the finish. Drinking now and unlikely to develop much further. Undistinguished. (02/10)

2006 Savennières  
Clean nose and slightly lactic (although no malolactic has taken place). Mid weight, modern style. The wood shows a little. Fresh acidity and a good citrus zip. Well focused. Good length. Youthful. Should develop for a few years in bottle. Good. (02/08)

Xavier and Jean-René Dhommé  
Domaine Dhommé  
Le Petit Port Girault  
Chalonnes-sur-Loire  
T: +33 2 41 78 24 27  
T: +33 2 41 45 06 53
F: +33 2 41 74 94 91
domainedhomme@wanadoo.fr 

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