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B-21 Top Recommendation
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From a domaine with a devoted following among Northern Rhône fans yet seldom seen in the American market, this 2022 Cornas gem from Franck Balthazar offers a rare collectible opportunity.
"Balthazar’s wines are raw, expressive, fleshy and complex..." - Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous
Known for their supremely old-school style, Balthazar's wines are in high demand and short supply among the most clued in Northern Rhône collectors. His meticulous yet minimalist techniques start in the vineyard, "one of the best managed in the appellation," according to Wine Advocate's Yohan Castaing, and continue in the cellar, resulting in some of the most authentic and true-to-place Cornas expressions you'll find. The 2022 Casimir, sourced from old vines in Les Mezards and early-2000s vines in Legre, is the flagship of Balthazar's domaine and the hallmark introduction to his style – "Medium to full-bodied, layered and textured, it's elegantly juicy with good depth at the core, structured, youthful tannins and a long, spicy finish ... an impressive effort," according to Castaing. We just sourced this limited parcel at must-see, best-in-market pricing, and given the scarcity of Balthazar's wines in the market, serious Rhône fans will want to put some away while they can. |
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Very fresh wild blackberry, dry forest floor and wild herb aromas. Considering this was 100% whole-cluster fermented, the tannins are restrained, gently building at the long, moderately dry finish. Plenty of pepper and wild herb character in the finish. Should age well. Drink from release.
94 points, Stuart Pigott, James Suckling (Apr 2024)
Crafted from old vines rooted in clay soils—two-thirds at the foot of the slope and one-third mid-slope—the 2022 Cornas Cuvée Casimir Balthazar unfurls from the glass with a delicately reduced bouquet of dark cherries, spices, pepper and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textured, it's elegantly juicy with good depth at the core, structured, youthful tannins and a long, spicy finish. Currently introverted due to the presence of reduction, it requires time to integrate its élevage and fully adjust to its recent bottling. This is an impressive effort.
93 points, Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate (Mar 2025)
The 2022 Cornas Cuvée Casimir Balthazar is a savory beast. Full-bodied, tannic and concentrated, it bundles radiant black fruits, cedar, graphite and cured meat aromatics. Doubling down with afterglow on the savory finale, the 2022 demands at least three more years in a cool cellar.
92 points, Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous (Jan 2025)
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