Franck Balthazar

Since taking over his small family domaine in Cornas in 2002 Franck has earned a strong following for his terroir-driven Syrahs. He is now in the handful of top names in this exciting appellation. Like Thierry Allemand, he handles the fruit of his old vines with great care yet minimal intervention in the cellar. His energies go into the vineyards, which he tends with great diligence. His efforts have meant that his Cornas domaine wines are now snapped up on first release. His great value Côtes du Rhône comes from organic fruit bought in from the village of Séguret. And though it is a southern blend of Grenache and Syrah, it possesses an intensity and poise that ties it unmistakably to the style of his Cornas Syrahs.