L'Ours Bleu

History of the Domaine de l'Ours Bleu

The Domaine de l'Ours Bleu has its roots in an uncommon human adventure, born of encounters, happy coincidences and a shared curiosity for wine and the work of the vine. It began as a promise made in jest in the last century that, over time, took shape through bonds woven between friends passionate about viticulture. The first plots were taken on in 2013, then officially taken over in 2016. The conversion to organic farming began in 2018, an approach that reflected from the outset the owners' desire to respect the environment and to produce healthy, authentic wines true to their terroir. The first wines were vinified as early as 2018, but the founders wished them to age and improve in the cellar before being released for sale. They were therefore patiently aged for several years, and it was not until 2021 that the domaine made its first cuvées available to the public. Today, the Domaine de l'Ours Bleu is recognised as a young domaine to watch very closely, driven by the passion of Jérôme Baillargeau and by a resolutely modern viticultural and oenological approach, focused on precision, depth and patience.

Terroirs and Vines of the Domaine de l'Ours Bleu

The Domaine de l'Ours Bleu benefits from a privileged geographical situation, with its fourteen hectares of vines spread across several communes of great viticultural renown. The plots are located around the estate's headquarters in Montsoreau (Saumur-Champigny appellation), as well as in Fontevraud and Brézé for the Saumur appellation, and in Indre-et-Loire in the communes of Savigny-en-Véron and Avoine for the Chinon appellation. This geographical diversity gives the domaine access to a wide variety of terroirs and microclimates, allowing the wines to express a unique typicity according to the plots. The soils are predominantly clay-limestone, covered with sand, clay or gravel, and rest on a base of tuffeau chalk known as Turonian, characteristic of the great Loire Valley terroirs. This geology imparts a beautiful minerality and a refined tannic structure to the wines. The domaine has been entirely farmed organically since 2021, with meticulous soil work favouring environmentally respectful practices and ecosystem preservation. Only two grape varieties are planted: chenin for the white wines and cabernet franc for the red, rosé and sparkling wines, allowing the winemaker to master perfectly the expression of each variety and to craft concentrated and personal cuvées.

Winemaking at the Domaine de l'Ours Bleu

The winemaking philosophy of the Domaine de l'Ours Bleu rests on a patient and fruit-respectful approach, favouring long ageing and minimal interventions to allow the purity of the terroir and the vintage to express itself. The grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, then vinified with indigenous yeasts to preserve the authenticity and typicity of each plot. Extractions are gentle, aimed at preserving fruit and drinkability while structuring the wines for ageing. Depending on the cuvée, the wines are aged in different vessels — 400-litre oak barrels, amphorae, stainless steel or concrete vats — for a minimum period of twenty-four months, thus allowing the wines to gain in complexity, depth and harmony. Wines from prestigious plots, such as the Saumur-Champigny cuvées or the white Saumurs from Brézé, benefit from barrel ageing that imparts smoky, vanilla notes and a fuller texture. For certain cuvées such as Le Petit Naturiste, the winemaker favours a natural and minimally interventionist approach, with wines that are low in or free from added sulphites, so as to let the grape variety and the vintage speak freely. This rigour and exacting standards in the cellar work allow the domaine to produce wines with a strong identity, marked by their fruit purity, natural freshness and remarkable ageing potential.

The cuvées of the Domaine de l'Ours Bleu

Le Saumur Blanc Puzzle is the flagship cuvée and pride of the domaine, crafted from chenin harvested on the emblematic plots of Brézé. Aged for twenty-four months in 400-litre barrels, this wine expresses with precision and depth the great terroir of Brézé, revealing a high acidity that brings dynamism and length, enveloped by an ample matter offering beautiful structure. The aromatic markers lean towards white fruits — apple and pear — with notes of caramel and vanilla contributed by the ageing.

Le Petit Insolent is an original and bold creation, a blanc de noir made from cabernet franc vinified as a white wine. This wine surprises with its notes of vibrant red fruits, lively freshness and precise, easy-drinking character. Perfect as an aperitif, it offers a refreshing and original alternative to traditional whites, with great fruit purity and immediate drinkability.

Le Petit Naturiste embodies the domaine's natural approach — a free and sincere red wine crafted without artifice. This Saumur rouge from cabernet franc, aged without passing through barrels, presents a clear ruby robe with brilliant highlights. The nose opens on vibrant aromas of strawberry, raspberry and cherry, accompanied by light floral and spicy notes. On the palate, the attack is supple and juicy, the matter light to medium, carried by a beautiful freshness. Fine and discreet tannins give way to a clean, fruity and easy-drinking finish, marked by a great sense of purity.

Le Saumur rouge Les Varennes de Mestré is the only cuvée of the domaine that has not undergone any barrel ageing. This fruit-forward, easy-drinking wine offers a juicy cabernet franc just as one loves it — a superb crowd-pleaser with a garnet robe and purple highlights. The nose is fresh with pure aromas of red fruits and menthol with slightly chocolatey nuances. The palate is characterised by great suppleness and finesse, with a juicy expression of the fruit.

Le Saumur rouge Les Champs Picard benefits from twenty-four months of ageing in barrels, revealing smoky notes, dark fruits and fine tannin notes. This wine expresses the elegance and depth of the Les Champs Picard terroir, offering structure and complexity for ageing over several years.

Le Saumur-Champigny Rochenard is characterised by a natural freshness and controlled ripeness, offering a harmonious balance between structure and vivacity. On tasting, it seduces with its deep garnet colour and an elegant nose of dark fruits, accompanied by subtle hints of graphite and mint. On the palate, this Saumur-Champigny reveals a silky texture and fine balance, with fine, well-integrated tannins that pleasantly lengthen the finish. Its ageing potential will allow it to develop even greater depth and complexity over the coming years.

Le Saumur-Champigny La Salle Martin is a true favourite, ranking among the finest Saumur-Champignys, with an approach evoking the great Clos Rougeard. Aged for thirty-six months in barrels, this wine embodies the spirit of the domaine: precision, depth and patience. The colour is fairly deep red; the nose opens on blackcurrant, violet and liquorice. On the palate, the matter is dense and complex, underpinned by velvety tannins. The wine is structured and rich, carried by a certain freshness, with notes of undergrowth and sweet spices extending a long and distinguished finish. Decant one hour before tasting.

Les Bulles Bleues, a sparkling Saumur rosé made by the traditional method, are crafted from cabernet franc harvested on the terroir of Brézé, on the edge of the Fontevraud forest. This fine-bubble wine sports a rosé robe with light orange highlights and persistent fine bubbles. Notes of red fruits — redcurrant and strawberry — dominate the aromatic profile. The attack on the palate is supple, with a lovely volume without heaviness. A fresh, mineral and fruity wine, perfect as an aperitif or for special occasions.

Finally, the domaine also produces Chinon cuvées from its four hectares located in Indre-et-Loire, thus completing the range with the expression of cabernet franc on these terroirs renowned for their structure and ageing potential, offering full-bodied wines with silky tannins and a persistent finish.