2018 Maison Roche de Bellene Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy, France

Nicolas Potel purchased the 16th century estate in 2005. Domaine de Bellene is a 24-hectare (59 acre) estate, with parcels in the villages of Beaune, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Saint-Roman, Santenay, Savigny-les-Beaune, Volnay and Vosne-Romanée. The focus is on expressive, terroir-driven wines from old vines (35-100+ years old). The vineyards have been farmed according to biodynamic practices since 2006 and are now certified BIO. Furthermore, vinification is minimalist in approach The entry-level red Burgundy comes from old-vine vineyards in the Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise. The major part (80%) of this wine is matured in barriques and the remainder is produced in stainless steel. This maintains a pure style with bright fruit and a fine texture.— no enzymes, cultured yeasts, chaptalization, or acid adjustments are used, and filtration is avoided.