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Franck Balthazar

2019 Franck Balthazar, Crozes-Hermitage

France Syrah Rhone Crozes-Hermitage 750ML

Vinous

92

CellarTracker

88
/
Franck Balthazar

2019 Franck Balthazar, Crozes-Hermitage

France Syrah Rhone Crozes-Hermitage 750ML

Vinous

92

CellarTracker

88
/
12+ In Stock

Same Day Pick Up at Thatcher's Wine - Warehouse

Available same day if ordered by 2pm

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How this estate remains off the radar for so many is a wonder - the Balthazar family has been crafting wines for nearly a century, the vines largely at least that old, with a further bump in quality when Franck purchased Noël Verset's ancient vineyard upon his retirement.

Franck Balthazar

A single-man production largely, the grapes are fermented whole-cluster, with some punching down and pumping over; the goal is purity of fruit, each vineyard plot vinified separately in large (600L) casks.

The Crozes-Hermitage comes from "younger" vines - about 40 years of age, and spends about 20 months in barrel. Long, spicy and complex.

Franck will bottle 3 different Cornas wines; first, the "Casimir" is a young plot of vines planted to granite soils, generating beautiful spice and length to the Syrah. He will create a Sans Soufre (no sulfur added) cuvée from similarly young vines, allowing for a wine that is effusive and ready to drink immediately. Finally, the big boy, Cornas Chaillot, from vines planted in 1911 and 1913...wow. This is the Verset plot which Franck ferments whole-cluster before moving the juice to the demi-muids for about 18 months. There is no new oak here at all!

Meet the Producer

Franck Balthazar

How this estate remains off the radar for so many is a wonder - the Balthazar family has been crafting wines for nearly a century, the vines largely at least that old, with a further bump in quality when Franck purchased Noël Verset's ancient vineyard upon his retirement.

A single-man production largely, the grapes are fermented whole-cluster, with some punching down and pumping over; the goal is purity of fruit, each vineyard plot vinified separately in large (600L) casks.

The Crozes-Hermitage comes from "younger" vines - about 40 years of age, and spends about 20 months in barrel. Long, spicy and complex.

Franck will bottle 3 different Cornas wines; first, the "Casimir" is a young plot of vines planted to granite soils, generating beautiful spice and length to the Syrah. He will create a Sans Soufre (no sulfur added) cuvée from similarly young vines, allowing for a wine that is effusive and ready to drink immediately. Finally, the big boy, Cornas Chaillot, from vines planted in 1911 and 1913...wow. This is the Verset plot which Franck ferments whole-cluster before moving the juice to the demi-muids for about 18 months. There is no new oak here at all!

Vinous

Vinous

92

Deep, glistening ruby. Aromas of spice-accented dark berries and cherry, with a smoky nuance that builds in the glass. Silky and broad on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors with a hint of candied flowers. Finishes youthfully taut and long, with repeating florality and polished tannins that add shape and firming grip.

What the Critics are Saying

Vinous

Vinous

92

Deep, glistening ruby. Aromas of spice-accented dark berries and cherry, with a smoky nuance that builds in the glass. Silky and broad on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors with a hint of candied flowers. Finishes youthfully taut and long, with repeating florality and polished tannins that add shape and firming grip.