Domaine de l'Ours Bleu - Saumur Rouge - Les Champs Picard 2023
Located in Montsoreau, in the heart of the Saumur vineyard, Domaine de l'Ours Bleu was born in 2013 from the desire of two friends to reveal the potential of the great terroirs of the Loire Valley. Under the leadership of Jérôme Baillargeau, the estate has developed around a fourteen-hectare vineyard, spread between Montsoreau, Fontevraud, Brézé, and the surroundings of Chinon. Entirely dedicated to Chenin and Cabernet Franc, the estate favors organic viticulture and patient vinifications, accompanied by extended aging that allows the wines to develop all their complexity. The plots benefit from the geological richness of Saumur, where the Turonian limestone formations form the base of particularly sought-after terroirs. Among the various cuvées of the estate, Les Champs Picard holds a privileged place, as it comes from the prestigious Brézé sector, better known for its great whites but also capable of producing Cabernet Francs of remarkable depth. This single-vineyard cuvée illustrates the estate's ambition: to craft wines of character, combining fruit ripeness, structure, and elegance, without rushing their commercialization.
Les Champs Picard 2023 is made exclusively from Cabernet Franc, grown on the Brézé terroir, where sandy and chalky soils rest on the limestone formations characteristic of this part of the Loire Valley. This geological combination favors drainage while allowing roots to access the water reserves of the subsoil, contributing to a regular ripening of the grapes. Cabernet Franc finds here particularly interesting conditions to develop its aromatic richness while maintaining the freshness and tannic finesse that make the reputation of great Saumur reds. The 2023 vintage, marked in the Loire by alternating warm periods and rainfall, favored generous expressions, with fruit ripeness supported by preserved natural acidity. At the estate, the cuvée is traditionally vinified in stainless steel tanks, before extended aging in oak barrels, conducted over twenty-four months on previous vintages. This patient maturation helps soften the structure of Cabernet Franc and develop its aromatic complexity, while preserving the terroir's identity. Les Champs Picard thus stands out by an ambitious interpretation of Saumur red, favoring depth, precision, and aging potential.
Les Champs Picard 2023 presents an intense aromatic profile, dominated by ripe black fruits, notably blackcurrant, blackberry, and black cherry, accompanied by hints of licorice and sweet spices. Upon aeration, smoky notes, undergrowth, and delicately toasted oak enrich a deep bouquet where the fruit retains a beautiful presence. On the palate, a generous attack combines with dense and structured matter, supported by present but gradually enveloped tannins by the wine's richness. The mid-palate develops flavors of black fruits and fine spices, while a persistent freshness brings balance and highlights the natural elegance of Cabernet Franc. The finish, long and flavorful, reveals nuances of licorice, tangy red fruits, and a discreet chalky dimension that prolongs the tasting. This gastronomic Saumur red will perfectly accompany a rosemary confit lamb shoulder, roasted duck breast, grilled rib steak, or herb-stuffed mushrooms. It will also find beautiful pairings with roasted pigeon or farm poultry accompanied by a cep mushroom sauce. Its structure and depth will allow it to gain harmony over the coming years, gradually developing nuances of fine leather, truffle, and undergrowth.
Grape variety: 100% Cabernet Franc
