Les Vercots

Vibrant mid-purple in colour, there is a beguiling nose of cherry stone with some intriguing spice notes. The palate has good medium weight of red berry fruit and a pleasant, chalky structure that gives a long, palate- cleansing finish. Drink 2020-2025.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

Franck Follin-Arbelet has created an estate in Aloxe-Corton where his ancestors used to have vineyards in the late 19th century, before they were subsequently sold off. As a child he spent holidays in the village, working part time in the vineyards and in due course marrying a local girl whose family had some vines – enough for Franck to set up as a vigneron in 1993, subsequently adding further vines through rental agreements. Franck Follin was caught between two emotions when we visited him in the autumn; his immediate thoughts were of the 2017 harvest, which represents the largest crop he has made, while we were there to taste his smallest ever vintage, 2016. With the exception of Corton- Charlemagne, Corton-Bressandes and Romanée-St Vivant, everything was very badly hit by frost. Despite this, Franck is delighted with the quality, declaring 2016 a classic vintage with good concentration and great ageing potential.

Medium ruby in colour, this has a spicy nose which bursts with fruits of the forest. It displays impressive concentration and a firm, but relatively elegant, layered structure that is well wrapped in juicy, succulent red and black berry fruit. The fine, salivating finish is long and persistent. Drink 2022-2026.

After several difficult years, Franck is finally able to smile at having made a nearfull harvest for the first time in many years. He explains the importance of pruning correctly to manage the final yield, which meant that there was no need for green harvesting to drop fruit and no risk of over-cropping. Franck describes the wines as “flattering and charming, with rounded fruit, silky tannins and a harmonious balance of alcohol and acidity”.