Franck Balthazar Cornas 'Casimir Balthazar' Cuvée 2021, Rhône Valley, France

REGION 
Cornas, Rhône Valley, France

 

VARIETAL
Syrah 

 

TASTING NOTES

After taking over at his father’s Cornas estate in 2002, Franck Balthazar has patiently built it into one of the Northern Rhône’s most revered addresses. Franck’s rigorous traditional viticulture and winemaking yields wines that are paragons of balance, perfume and elegance in an appellation sometimes noted for its rusticity. His no-compromise approach entails working parcels by hand or horse, employing whole clusters and indigenous yeast for fermentations, and aging his wines in old demi-muids—a perfect recipe for old-school Syrah. -Importer's Notes

 

92-94pts - Vinous

"Deep magenta. Sharply defined red and blue fruit and spice qualities on the nose, along with intense floral, botanical herb and smoky mineral accents. Taut and gently chewy in texture, offering vibrant bitter cherry, cassis and spicecake flavors that deepen through the back half. In a juicy and energetic style, finishing very long and spicy, with polished tannins framing lingering cherry and spice notes. All whole clusters."

 

(Practicing Organic & Low Sulfites)