Domaine de l'Ours Bleu - Saumur-Champigny - Rochenard 2025
Located in Montsoreau, in the heart of the Saumur vineyard, Domaine de l'Ours Bleu was born from the passion of two friends eager to reveal the potential of the great terroirs of the Loire Valley. The adventure began in 2013 with the acquisition of the first plots, before the estate developed under the leadership of Jérôme Baillargeau. Today, the property extends over about fourteen hectares, spread between Montsoreau, Fontevraud, Brézé, and the surroundings of Chinon, with a vineyard dedicated to Chenin and Cabernet Franc. Organic viticulture is one of the foundations of this approach, combined with a demanding search for maturity and precision in winemaking. While some cuvées of the estate benefit from extended aging in barrels, Rochenard stands out by an approach favoring the direct expression of fruit and the natural finesse of Cabernet Franc. This parcel cuvée illustrates an elegant interpretation of Saumur-Champigny, where aromatic depth is accompanied by a particularly charming freshness. It testifies to the estate's ambition to produce authentic wines capable of accurately translating the personality of their terroirs.
Rochenard 2025 is made exclusively from Cabernet Franc, grown on clay-limestone soils characteristic of the Saumur-Champigny vineyard. These geological formations, resting on the limestone base of Saumurois, offer a favorable environment for balanced ripening of the grapes, while contributing to the fine structure of the wines. The organic management of the vineyard favors soil vitality and the natural balance of the vines, in an attentive approach to fruit quality. Unlike the estate's most ambitious cuvées, intended for long aging in wood, Rochenard seeks a more immediate and delicate expression of Cabernet Franc. The traditional vinification of this cuvée is based on fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by about twelve months of aging combining stainless steel tanks and large oak vats. The absence of small barrel aging preserves the aromatic clarity of the grape variety without imposing dominant woody notes. This production thus favors the softness of the tannins, the freshness of the fruit, and the overall balance, characteristics of a Saumur-Champigny intended to combine tasting pleasure and aging potential.
Rochenard is distinguished by a refined aromatic expression, dominated by black and red fruits, notably blackberry, blackcurrant, and fresh cherry. The bouquet is enriched with nuances of violet, graphite, and mint, which bring a particularly elegant dimension to the whole. On the palate, a supple and balanced body is combined with a natural freshness that highlights the precision of Cabernet Franc. Fine tannins accompany the fruit without ever dominating it, while delicate vegetal and spicy notes add relief to the mid-palate. The finish, clear and persistent, retains a beautiful liveliness, extended by impressions of black fruits and a discreet mineral touch. This Saumur-Champigny will elegantly accompany pork tenderloin, roasted farm poultry, duck breast, or country terrine. It will also find beautiful pairings with sautéed mushrooms, roasted vegetables, or a lightly aged pressed cheese. Accessible in its youth for the freshness of its fruit, Rochenard can also evolve favorably for several years in the cellar, gradually developing nuances of undergrowth, fine leather, and spices.
Grape variety: 100% Cabernet Franc
