Henri Chauvet - Cotes d'Auvergne Boudes Abrupts 2022 750ml (13% abv)

Henri moved to Auvergne in 2021 to begin his new dream of making natural wine after a career in banking and insurance. He studied under Jerome Bressy of Gourt de Mautens and Thierry Allemand before starting his own label. His goal is to make non-dogmatic natural wine that expresses the varied terroir of Auvergne. By taking over the estate of Annie Sauvat in Boudes Henri has been able to hit the ground running with an already active winery. The domaine is 10.5 hectares in Boudes planted with Gamay (60%), Pinot Noir (30%), and Chardonnay (10%). This area once counted hundreds of hectares and these days is down to around forty hectares of vines. The steep slopes contain a wide variety of soils: volcanic lava flows and ash, a rainbow of marls, and limestone outcroppings. The oldest vines on the property were planted in 1987. The property is currently undergoing organic conversion. Lulu the horse helps with soil management. Mechanical work is difficult given the gradient of the hillsides. Each plot and each variety is vinified separately

abrupts is a blend of Henri's finest parcels from the steep hillside of Boudes, volcanic terroir of basalt and blue marl

powerful and wild. structured. impressive. a darker hued Gamay. minerals, dried flowers, smoke, pine forest, vivid. deep and expansive. cassis. cherry. peppercorn. fine tannins. 

decant for 45 mins. or can be cellared for 5-10 years.

region: loire valley, france

varietal: gamay

style: red

farming/cellar: organic farming, hand picked, ambient yeast, sees 4 weeks of whole bunch maceration with minimal punchdowns - just 2 by foot - before being moved into old truncated conical wood barrels for 9 months, unfined, unfiltered, low so2

pairing: pork chop with smoked onion jus