Extremely limited allocation — 3 bottles available.

Since 2021, Henri Chauvet has been the custodian of 10.5 hectares of diverse vineyards in Boudes, Auvergne, with a focus on Gamay, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Working across the steep slopes surrounding his home, Henri began the conversion to organic farming the moment he took over the vineyards, guided by a deep respect for terroir and a desire to let the character of these remarkable hillsides speak clearly through his wines.

Boudes remains a little-known village outside France, but locally it has a reputation for producing some of the most expressive Gamays, Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in the Auvergne. Its volcanic soils and rugged hillsides give the wines a distinctive combination of freshness, salinity and earthy complexity, qualities that Chauvet captures with remarkable clarity.

Vie Ordinaire is a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir from two very distinct parcels. One is a large plot in the heart of Boudes' historic hillside, dominated by volcanic soils, while the other is a small, sun-facing parcel where remnants of ancient volcanic bombs can still be found in the soil. Together they produce a wine that feels deeply connected to the landscape.

There is an unmistakable savoury and spicy character here, with subtle vegetal notes adding complexity to a core of delicate red fruit. The nose opens with wild small berries, dried rose, white pepper and undergrowth, while the palate is elegant, fluid and beautifully poised. Fine tannins and vibrant acidity carry the wine through to a distinctly saline finish, giving it both immediacy and length.

Vie Ordinaire is a wonderfully pure and sincere wine, capturing what makes Boudes so compelling: volcanic soils, cool freshness and a distinctly rustic, almost peasant character, interpreted with precision and finesse by Chauvet. Despite its effortless drinkability, there is real structure beneath the surface, and the 2024 has the balance and tannin to develop beautifully with time.