Franck Balthazar, Cotes Du Rhone 2022 (750ml)

Franck is the nephew of Noel Verset, and bought his 97-year-old parcel in Chaillot from him when Noel retired. He blends this old plot with his 46-year-old parcel, both of which are on the granitic and sunny slopes of Les Chaillots. Plowing is done with a horse, and in the tiny cellar the grapes are pressed without being destemmed. Fermentation takes place in cement vats and the wine goes into old 600 liter barrels “demi-muids”, for 18 months, before being bottled without fining of filtration.

Balthazar's elegant Cornas bottlings are among the very best being made in the appellation right now, and their keen pricing makes them great values, especially for fans of classic northern Rhone wines. Balthazar vinifies entirely with whole clusters, and his vineyards are planted entirely to selection massal, not clones.