Domaine de l'Ours Bleu - Brézé - Puzzle 2018
The Domaine de l’Ours Bleu is located in the Saumurois, in the heart of the Loire Valley, between Montsoreau, Brézé, and Fontevraud. Created in 2012 around the project led by Jérôme Baillargeau, the estate cultivates about fourteen hectares of vines mainly planted with Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. The plots are managed organically with a strong commitment to reveal the limestone terroirs of Saumurois, marked by the presence of tuffeau and slopes exposed to the Loire. In this historic wine-growing landscape where vine cultivation dates back to the Middle Ages, the limestone and chalky soils provide a particularly favorable ground for the expression of Chenin Blanc. The Brézé Puzzle cuvée comes from plots located in the emblematic commune of Brézé, a terroir recognized for producing some of the great dry white wines of the Loire. This vineyard stands out for its ability to generate wines that are both taut, mineral, and deeply structured. With this cuvée, the estate offers a precise and ambitious interpretation of this Loire terroir.
Brézé Puzzle 2018 is made exclusively from Chenin Blanc from vines about thirty years old planted on characteristic limestone slopes of the area. The soils dominated by tuffeau favor the concentration of the grapes while maintaining great natural freshness. The harvest is carefully carried out to preserve the integrity of the fruit, then fermentation is conducted traditionally. Aging is an important step in the identity of this cuvée, with an extended period of about twenty-four months in large oak barrels, often around 400 liters. This slow maturation brings depth while preserving the tension typical of Chenin. The wine thus develops a precise structure and a balance between richness and freshness. This approach gives birth to a structured dry white that highlights the personality of the Brézé terroir.
On tasting, Brézé Puzzle 2018 reveals a complex nose where notes of citrus, white-fleshed fruits, and delicate flowers mingle, accompanied by a slightly herbal and pastry-like dimension linked to aging. The palate is distinguished by a broad and structured texture, supported by the natural acidity of Chenin which brings tension and balance. The flavors evoke ripe pear, citrus zest, and sometimes a honeyed nuance that appears with aeration. The limestone minerality of the terroir manifests as a chalky sensation and a straight, persistent finish. This white Saumur pairs particularly well with noble fish, crustaceans, poultry in sauce, or certain aged cheeses. Thanks to its structure and extended aging, it also has a cellaring potential that can reach several years in the cellar.
Grape variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
