The ebullient and down to earth Francois, the 11th generation of his family of grape growers in Mercurey, is now considered one of the best in the village. He has 10 hectares of mostly old Pinot Noir vines and favours low yields and very careful sorting of the harvested fruit, resulting in rich, concentrated but never over-ripe wines. His simple Bourgogne rouge, from three parcels of 60 year old vines and aged two or three years in old oak, is juicy, supple and super red Burgundy for the price.