Franck Balthazar has been blessed with the laid-back demeanor necessary to crafting flawless cuvées, as well as with the opportunity to work a 97-year old parcel purchased from Noël Verset, retired Cornas icon. The domaine was founded in 1931 by Franck’s grandfather, Casmir Balthazar, buying some vines and planting others, with its first bottling in 1980. Franck took over the 2 hectare family estate from his father René in 2002. His philosophy in the vineyard and in the cellar is purely traditional, reflective of the great Cornas producers who preceded him. He is a one-man show in the vineyard and the cellar: he ferments the grapes with the stems intact, with some pumping over and light pigeage, and ages the wine in demi-muid (600-liter barrels). He is a purist and a traditionalist and has perfected his method of cultivation and vinification of the Syrah grape. 

This Cornas features an ebullient nose, with cassis, blue fruit present, and smoky notes. The palate funnels dark, cool fruits, cassis to the fore, with roasting, toasting, firm tannins, a hint of violet. Near the finish it shows it is structured, firm Cornas, with good, clear fruit central to it.