Philippe and René Socheleau, Domaine des Deux Vallées (2006)  

This domaine was established in 2001 by the genial Philippe Socheleau who, together with his father bought up the old Domaine Banchereau cellar in St Aubin de Luigné with 22 ha of vineyards in Chaume. The cellar has since been demolished and the land sold for the building of a new school in the village. Meanwhile a new facility has been established in the vines on the plateau that overlooks both the Loire and Layon, understandably know as ‘Bellevue’. This old Angevin family last had connections with wine in the late 1940s, with Socheleau’s mother coming from a family of vignerons in Chemillé, some twenty kilometres away. The family business since then has been in fruit growing, with Socheleau senior owning 100 hectares of apple orchards. The family bought half a hectare of young vines, planted next to the Moulin de Gué, in 2002 from Philippe Socheleau’s cousin.

Wine Overview:  
The first vintage here was in 2006 with a yield of 18 hl/ha. After picking and transporting back across the river, the grapes were kept in a cool room for ten days prior to crushing. After a two day settling in tank they were racked to Burgundian barrels where fermentation took place. Half of the cuvée underwent malolactic fermentation and the wine was bottled in October 2007. 2,400 bottles produced.

The Wines:  
Given the oak treatment, the Socheleau’s are clearly aiming for a modern expression. Although Philippe Socheleau is young and relatively new to wine, his wines show confidence and could be a producer to watch over the coming vintages.   

2009 Savennières  
Soft, creamy nose with planky-oak that dominates any real fruit or sense of origin. Modern, easy and very simple. This is clean but has nothing else to really commend it. Correct, but this is a dumbing down of the appellation. Finishes short with the oak drying out the finish. (02/11)

2006 Savennières  
Light, soft, delicate and creamy nose. The wood shows a little. The palate shows greater weight and definition with good balance and firm acidity to the finish. Very ripe style with the wood currently a little dominant. A little hot on the finish. This should evolve over the next three to five years. (02/08)

Philip & Rene Socheleau  
Domaine des Deux Vallees  
St Aubin-de-Luigne  
T: +33 2 41 78 33 24  
F: +33 2 41 78 66 58  
F: +33 2 41 78 66 58  
domaine2vallees@wanadoo.fr  
www.domaine2vallees.com

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