Vines planted in 1976, 1985. Vineyards are sustainably farmed, all grapes are harvested by hand and sorted, 100% of the grapes are de-stemmed, parcels are all vinified separately in open-topped, wooden vats, natural fermentations with indigenous yeasts. Grapes macerate for several days at 15°-17° Celsius, then must goes through alcoholic fermentation with occasional punch-downs and pump-overs. Must pressed gently by pneumatic press. Jus de presse is blended in with first press wine to settle for 24-48 hours, wines are racked by gravity directly into oak fûts deep into the cellar below the winery. The percentage of new oak varies with the vintage and appellation. Wines enjoy a long, slow élévage before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
"Pernand-Vergelesses is a hidden appellation tucked away in a small valley beneath the majestic hill of Corton. Franck Follin refers to its reds as “rustic,” yet his Fichots bottling seems anything but. Perhaps it’s the lovely fruit of the 2015 vintage that generously wraps around a dense, chalky core to provide silky elegance. Or maybe the sweet perfume of fine Pinot invites us in so welcomingly we bypass its plump body and gently grippy finish. Rustic or not, Franck’s Pernand is not to be ignored." - Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant