Benefits & Loyalty

Franck Balthazar

In Cornas, Franck Balthazar cultivates the 4 hectares of the estate—founded in 1931 by his grandfather Casimir—using a pickaxe and a winch. His Syrah wines, situated between those of Auguste Clape and Thierry Allemand, yield barely 15,000 bottles.

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The Franck Balthazar wine estate was founded in 1931 by his grandfather, Casimir. Its vineyards are located on the finest terroirs in Cornas and are among the oldest in the appellation. The youngest vines date back to 2005, and the oldest to the 1960s. Today, Franck Balthazar has been working alone on his 4 hectares since 2002, except during the harvest and for soil work. Everything is done by hand, using a pickaxe or a winch—a Herculean task that is rewarded by the improved health of his grapes.

Franck draws inspiration from several winemaking philosophies, notably that of Auguste Clape but also Thierry Allemand. His wines strike a balance between the classic style of Auguste Clape’s wines and the finesse of Thierry Allemand’s wines.

In fact, in 2001 he decided to transition toorganic viticulture, and in 2006 he stopped treating his vines with pesticides; only sulfur and copper are still used in homeopathic doses and in very rare cases.

In the cellar, winemaking involves whole-bunchfermentation followed by extended maceration. Ageing takes place in demi-muids for 12 to 18 months, depending on the vintage and cuvée. Franck Balthazar limits the use of sulfur in his wines to ensure that the fruit’s character is expressed as precisely as possible.
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The cuvées we’ve been fortunate enough to carry include the Côtes du Rhône, a rich, juicy wine that already beautifully showcases the wine estate’s style. The Cornas Casimir cuvée, a wine paying homage to his grandfather, who did everything he could to give a boost not only to the Balthazar family but also to the entire Cornas appellation. And finally, the Cornas Chaillot cuvée ,which needs no introduction, as this vineyard is considered a Grand Cru within the Cornas appellation.

The wine estate’s production stands at 15,000 bottles; needless to say, the allocated quantities are very limited. As for the quality, it is exceptional.

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