Follin-Arbelet Pernand-Vergelesses Les Fichots 1er Cru 2019

Franck’s ancestors owned vineyards in Aloxe-Corton, which they sold off towards the end of the 19th century.

As a child, he spent holidays in the village, working part-time in the vineyards and, in due course, marrying a local girl, Christine. Her family had some vines – enough for Franck to set up as a vigneron in 1993, subsequently adding further vines through rental agreements. In 2017, Franck was joined at the Domaine by his son, Simon.

Franck favours the most simple and natural form of farming possible. The grapes are entirely destemmed and vinified in wooden vats for about two weeks. The wines are aged for 18 months in a barrel, initially with 20 to 25 percent new wood before racking into older casks after 12 months.

Pernand-Vergelesses is a beautiful village tucked away behind the hill of Corton and an excellent source for fine Burgundy at a relatively affordable price. Jadot has registered its own name, Le Clos de la Croix de Pierre, in a vineyard that faces the mighty hill. The lower part of the slope is an excellent site for Pinot Noir, while whites are grown on lighter soils higher up.