Domaine de l'Ours Bleu - Brézé - Puzzle 2021
The Domaine de l’Ours Bleu is located in the Saumurois, in the heart of the Loire Valley, between Montsoreau, Brézé, and Fontevraud, an area renowned for the quality of its limestone terroirs. Created in 2012 around the project led by Jérôme Baillargeau, the estate now extends over approximately fourteen hectares planted mainly with Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. The vineyard is managed organically, with particular attention paid to soil vitality and the precise expression of the terroirs. The plots dedicated to the Brézé Puzzle cuvée are located on the slopes of Brézé, one of the most renowned terroirs of Saumurois, characterized by tuffeau and clay-limestone soils that give the wines tension and mineral depth. This cuvée represents one of the most ambitious expressions of the estate for Chenin Blanc. The estate’s approach favors long aging and low-intervention winemaking to fully express the uniqueness of the terroir. In this context, Brézé Puzzle 2021 illustrates the precision and identity of the great dry whites of Saumur.
Brézé Puzzle 2021 is made exclusively from Chenin Blanc from plots located on the limestone slopes of Brézé. This tuffeau terroir promotes slow ripening of the grapes while maintaining a naturally high acidity, an essential element for the balance of great Loire Chenins. The harvest is carefully carried out to preserve the quality of the fruit and the aromatic purity of the grape variety. Fermentation generally takes place in tanks before a prolonged aging of about twenty-four months in large barrels, often around 400 liters, allowing the wine to gain depth while retaining its tension. This slow maturation helps to structure the wine and refine its texture without masking the expression of the terroir. The 2021 vintage particularly highlights the natural freshness of Chenin and the mineral precision of the limestone soils of Brézé. The whole gives birth to a structured dry white, both precise and energetic, faithful to the style sought by the estate.
On tasting, Brézé Puzzle 2021 reveals a subtle nose combining notes of citrus, white flowers, and white-fleshed fruits, accompanied by a mineral nuance evoking wet stone. The palate is distinguished by a broad texture supported by a lively acidity, a typical signature of Chenin grown on the limestone soils of Saumurois. The balance rests on tension and aromatic precision, with flavors evoking ripe lemon, pear, and sometimes a slight honeyed touch that appears on aeration. The chalky minerality of the terroir extends into a straight and persistent finish that underlines the identity of the wine. This white Saumur pairs particularly well with noble fish, shellfish, poultry in sauce, or aged goat cheeses. Thanks to its structure and prolonged aging, it also has an interesting aging potential that will allow it to gain complexity with a few years in the bottle.
Grape variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
