Domaine de l'Ours Bleu - Petit Insolent 2023
Born from the passion of Jérôme Baillargeau, Domaine de l'Ours Bleu is located in Montsoreau, in the heart of the Saumur appellation area. The vineyard stretches across a mosaic of prestigious terroirs, including Brézé, renowned for its tuffeau limestone soils. Farmed organically, the estate emphasizes a precise, artisanal approach: respect for the soil, manual harvesting, minimally interventionist vinification, and aging adapted to each vintage. The common thread is always the same: expressing the sincerity of the grape variety and the mineral purity of the Loire terroir.
Le Petit Insolent stands out for its originality: it is a blanc de noirs, that is, a white wine made from a black grape variety, in this case Cabernet Franc. After manual harvesting and careful sorting, the grapes are pressed directly, without skin maceration, to avoid color extraction. The resulting clear juice is then vinified in stainless steel vats to preserve the liveliness and fruity expression. The short aging period, approximately six months, allows the wine to retain all its freshness and spontaneity. The balanced and consistent 2023 vintage has produced a vibrant wine, marked by remarkable energy and drinkability.
The color is pale and crystalline, slightly silvery, reminiscent of the purity of tuffeau wines. The nose expresses great freshness: crisp pear, green apple, lively citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit), enhanced by floral notes and a touch of white currant that recalls its origin in Cabernet Franc. The palate, taut and straight, is distinguished by its vitality and its limestone minerality. The material is fluid but precise, balanced by a fine acidity and a salinity that stretches the finish. Overall, it offers a wine that is both thirst-quenching and refined, which combines the delicacy of the fruit and the energy of the terroir.
This unusual white wine pairs wonderfully with seafood (oysters, clams, whelks, langoustines), grilled or marinated fish (ceviche, sea bream carpaccio, salmon gravlax), as well as spring vegetables (green asparagus, fennel, zucchini). It also pairs very well with Loire goat cheeses, such as Valençay or Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine. Served at 10–12°C, it fully expresses its freshness. Drink young to enjoy its brilliance, but it can also evolve for two to three years in the cellar, gaining in roundness and complexity.
With Petit Insolent, the estate proves that it's possible to think outside the box by offering a blanc de noirs made from Cabernet Franc. Insolent in its difference, this wine seduces with its frankness and brilliance. It's a cuvée that perfectly illustrates the spirit of Ours Bleu: to offer sincere wines, full of life and deeply rooted in their Loire terroir.
Grape variety: 100% Cabernet Franc (blanc de noirs)
