Henri Chauvet left banking and office work in 2021, to settle on the gravelly hillsides of the Saint-Nectaire region. Having just turned 30, he obtained an advanced technical diploma in viticulture and winemaking through correspondence and went on to train with Jérôme Bressy at his Gourt de Mautens estate, in the southern Rhône Valley. He subsequently acquired the Sauvat estate, comprising more than ten hectares of vines. Each parcel of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Gamay flourishes on volcanic soils composed of blue marl. Henri Chauvet has been converting his vineyard to organic viticulture since the day he arrived, convinced of the benefits for vines and wine and, above all, driven by a desire to get back to the land. Even if his methods have much in common with natural wines, Henri Chauvet doesn’t want to be pigeon-holed, so he retains complete freedom to create his authentic, flavoursome wines.

The Pinot Noir plots thrive on the region’s iconic clay-limestone soil, providing a mineral-rich foundation that contributes to the depth and finesse of the wines. The locality where the vines used to produce this wine are cultivated benefits from an ideal exposure, ensuring balanced grape ripening. In the vineyard, all chemical fertilisers and herbicides are strictly avoided, in favour of a healthier, more environmentally friendly approach to viticulture. The winemaking process is performed in stainless steel vats to preserve the purity of the fruit, followed by 10 months of ageing in oak barrels, which imparts subtle notes of wood and vanilla without overpowering the wine’s aromatic profile.
The wine displays a ruby colour with shimmering reflections. The nose is complex and expressive, combining aromas of red fruits such as cherry and raspberry with hints of gentle spices and undergrowth. The palate is silky, with smooth tannins and a beautiful, lingering finish.