Domaine de l'Ours Bleu - Chaumont En Clos 2023
The Domaine de l'Ours Bleu is located in Montsoreau, in the heart of the Saumurois in the Loire Valley, an area renowned for its limestone terroirs dominated by tuffeau. Created by Jérôme Baillargeau, the estate was gradually formed from plots located around Montsoreau, Fontevraud, and Brézé, in a historic zone of production of the great wines of Saumur. The vineyard now covers about fourteen hectares cultivated exclusively with Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, two emblematic grape varieties of this part of the Loire region. Viticulture is conducted organically on all plots to preserve the natural balance of the soils and to reveal the personality of each terroir. The estate is also distinguished by a demanding approach to long aging, which is one of the property's signatures and allows the wines to gain depth and complexity.
The Chaumont En Clos 2023 cuvée represents a new ambitious parcel expression of the estate, coming from a historic terroir located around the Chaumont site, an old viticultural fiefdom overlooking the valley. This high-end wine continues the research carried out with the Brézé Puzzle cuvée by emphasizing the precision of Chenin Blanc and a very detailed reading of a unique parcel.
Chaumont En Clos 2023 is made exclusively from Chenin Blanc coming from a carefully selected plot on the limestone slopes of Saumurois. The soils dominated by tuffeau and calcareous clays favor a slow ripening of the grapes while preserving a natural acidity essential to the balance of Chenin. The harvest is done manually to preserve the integrity of the clusters and allow a precise selection of the fruit. After gentle pressing, fermentation occurs naturally before a particularly long aging, comparable to that of the Brézé Puzzle cuvée, in large volume barrels. This maturation can last between twenty-four and thirty-six months, a deliberately long duration that allows the wine to develop depth, texture, and aromatic complexity. This parcel approach and prolonged aging aim to precisely reveal the uniqueness of the terroir and Chenin Blanc's ability to produce great age-worthy wines in Saumurois.
On tasting, Chaumont En Clos 2023 reveals an intense and complex nose where notes of white-fleshed fruits, quince, and citrus zest mingle, accompanied by floral nuances and a mineral dimension evoking damp chalk. The palate is distinguished by a broad and structured body, supported by a lively acidity that brings tension and precision. Flavors evoke ripe pear, candied lemon, and sometimes a subtle honeyed touch that appears with aeration. The long aging brings depth and a enveloping texture while allowing the chalky minerality of the terroir to express itself. The finish, long and salivating, is marked by a saline sensation and great aromatic persistence. This high-level parcel cuvée pairs particularly well with noble fish, crustaceans, poultry in sauce, or gourmet dishes based on mushrooms.
Grape variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
