Patrice
and Marina Achard, Domaine des Barres (1994)
Patrice
Achard is a sixth generation vigneron
farming 25 hectares around St Aubin de Luigné, the vines being handed
down via the maternal line of the family. His involvement in Savennières
dates back to 1990 through an introduction to Baron Brincard by Joseph
Renou. He planted the two hectare ‘Les Bastes’ in 1991 and has been
making wine here since 1994. His only frustration is that it takes a one
hour round trip by tractor to work the vines for twenty minutes.
Wine
Overview:
Achard
makes modern style Savennières that is approachable on release. The wines
are vinified in barriques, of which one third are new. He prefers
commercial yeast and generally tries to avoid the malolactic fermentation.
The
Wines:
It
is difficult to judge a grower on the basis of a single wine, but given
the note below, I’d certainly seek out other vintages of Achard’s
wines. He clearly has a following as this 2006 was already sold out at the
domaine.
2006
‘Les Bastes’
Polished.
Mid-depth straw/yellow. Delicate and gentle brioche, pain d’épices
nose. Quite restrained on entry but has good focus with an attractive
mineral thread running through the wine. Decent flesh and some flavours of
honey. Ripe, but not confit. The wood is very well integrated with good
length and some authentic pithy Chenin notes to the persistent finish.
This is immediately approachable stuff, but should evolve well over a few
years. Perhaps just a little hot on the end. (02/08)
Marina
& Patrice Achard
St
Aubin-de-Luigne
T:
+33 2 41 78 98 24
F:
+33 2 41 78 68 37
achardpatrice@wanadoo.fr