NV Franck Balthazar Syrah 3 de Feuille

When Franck Balthazar took over from his uncle René in 2003, we knew very little about this northern Rhône jewel. Located in Cornas, the earliest to ripen of the three great appellations of the northern Rhône, the estate encompasses just two hectares of extremely low-yielding, 90-year-old Syrah planted on the village's hillside amphitheater. Balthazar raises his wine completely in demi-muids, larger than usual barrels, none of them new. He then bottles without use of any fining or filtration. These are attractive, undeniably artisanally-made wines.

When Franck Balthazar took over from his uncle René in 2003, we knew very little about this northern Rhône jewel. Located in Cornas, the earliest to ripen of the three great appellations of the northern Rhône, the estate encompasses just two hectares of extremely low-yielding, 90-...more