Romanée St Vivant, Grand Cru,

Since Frank Follin inherited vines originally under the control of the Louis Latour empire, he has been making sublime wines of concentration, purity and complexity. All of his vines from Aloxe-Corton, Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses and Romanée St Vivant are tended by hand and respectfully protected from any form of insecticide or pesticide, each betraying individuality, polish and great purity. By large the wines are de-stalked here but fermentations sometimes include up to 20% whole berry ferment depending on the vintage or cuvée, resulting in wines of suave, velvet textures. His cellars are cool and deep, so this process and the elevage are long, slow and gentle with minimal intervention, new oak percentages being kept to below 40%.