FRANCK BALTHAZAR - CUVEE CASIMIR BALTHAZAR 2018
Domaine Franck Balthazar dates back to 1931. It is managed since 2002 by Franck, who took over from his dad René, who was in charge since 1950 and had overseen the move into domaine bottling in the 1970s. The domaine has extended from 2 hectares in 2002 (1 hectare of centenarian vines in Chaillot and a 50-years-old hectare in Mazard) to around 3,5 hectares today. Plantings on an extreme site above Sabarotte were added in 2005 and 2008 on newly formed terraces. Franck’s aim is to preserve the traditional approach of his grandfather, Casimir.
Vineyards are organic and ploughed with a horse, ferments are whole cluster with native yeasts in concrete vats. To retain the perfume gifted by old vines and high-perched planting, all wines are aged in old 600 litres demi-muids. Sulphur is kept to the minimum and all winemaking techniques are as natural as possible.
The cuvée Casimir comes from old Syrah vines on the granite soils of Mazard, in the Cornas appellation. It was named in homage to his grandfather, Casimir. The winemaking is done in whole bunches with indigenous yeasts, then the maceration lasts 13 days. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels and the aging lasts 18 months in the 600 litres barrels used by Franck Balthazar. This wine has great aging potential.
Grape variety: 100% Syrah