Bourgogne Rouge, 2018

"Oronce de Beler. You must keep up with this 1978 vintage. Last time we saw him, he was working in advertising in Paris, now we find him in Vosne-Romanee. He first developed a company that designed horse plows called Equivinum, and then fluidly transitioned to cross breeding Iberian-Corse free-range pigs-- more muscle than fat. The result is delicious, rustic charcuterie! And where does the wine fit in with all of this? In 2005, with no vines of his own, he created his own winery using purchased grapes to make his wine: La Maison Romane, which is the name of the ancient winegrower house where he lives in the center of Vosne-Romanee-- next door neighbour to Romanee-Conti's neutral brandy storage cellar. In his tiny vaulted cellar, he vinifies the grapes in a very natural way, most often with no sulfur added. His first wines, mirroring his personality, needed some reining in and with time, the young dad has found his way."