Franck Balthazar

Cuvée Casimir Balthazar Cornas Syrah

9.263 ratings
9.322 pro ratings
Cornas, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
Syrah
Lamb
Top Notes For
Matt Perlman

Elegant, accessible in a way that a lot traditional Cornas would not be at this age, but still feels very classic

Elegant, accessible in a way that a lot traditional Cornas would not be at this age, but still feels very classic

May 9th, 2023
James Forsyth

Cherry and spice and all things nice. Indeed, it will just get nicer and nicer overtime. Would be tempted with a few bottles for everyday drinking in 2022.

Cherry and spice and all things nice. Indeed, it will just get nicer and nicer overtime. Would be tempted with a few bottles for everyday drinking in 2022.

Jan 4th, 2018
Michael Morris

Wine Director The Park Café

9.3

Killer syrah. Killer price

Killer syrah. Killer price

Nov 18th, 2017
Lucid Selections

Touch shy Aromatically with dry 2015 tannins. Not marked intensely by the vintage (like many producers), there is a beautiful expression of terroir and the expected grace of what Balthazar wines consistently show.

Touch shy Aromatically with dry 2015 tannins. Not marked intensely by the vintage (like many producers), there is a beautiful expression of terroir and the expected grace of what Balthazar wines consistently show.

Oct 29th, 2017
Christy Frank

Hello Cornas! Giving away trade secrets, but this is excellent value.

Hello Cornas! Giving away trade secrets, but this is excellent value.

2 people found it helpfulSep 10th, 2014
Christopher Bates

Master Sommelier, Owner/Winemaker Element Winery

8.9

Good good, full and fat, but a little bit clunky and lacking distinction. A nice bottle, but outshined by others tonight.

Good good, full and fat, but a little bit clunky and lacking distinction. A nice bottle, but outshined by others tonight.

1 person found it helpfulJan 16th, 2016
Sean Nelson

Big, spicy, tannic and gamey. I love it.

Big, spicy, tannic and gamey. I love it.

1 person found it helpfulMay 1st, 2014
Marc On

Writer Originalverkorkt, Lobenbergs Gute Weine

9.3

Cornas is & always will be one of my absolutely favorite Appellations in whole France. What a stunning showing from Frank Balthazar. The nose shows a beautiful melange of lush dark cherries, smoked meat, violets, crushed stone and a hint of thyme. On the palate this guy is so well balanced with a beautiful integrated acidity. Very round, fine, long finish with a lovely "graphite" touch on the back end. Can play with a lot of different food. Worth every damn penny.

Cornas is & always will be one of my absolutely favorite Appellations in whole France. What a stunning showing from Frank Balthazar. The nose shows a beautiful melange of lush dark cherries, smoked meat, violets, crushed stone and a hint of thyme. On the palate this guy is so well balanced with a beautiful integrated acidity. Very round, fine, long finish with a lovely "graphite" touch on the back end. Can play with a lot of different food. Worth every damn penny.

Mar 2nd, 2017
Maxwell Burns

Hospitality Kenwood Vineyards, Winemaker GARA

9.1

I would be fine if this was the only red wine I was allowed to drink for the rest of my life.

I would be fine if this was the only red wine I was allowed to drink for the rest of my life.

Aug 4th, 2016
Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.1

Elegant and refined, drinking beautifully, but still left me disappointed... A bit more depth in the mid palate, and this would have merited a much higher rating. Still a fan, though!

Elegant and refined, drinking beautifully, but still left me disappointed... A bit more depth in the mid palate, and this would have merited a much higher rating. Still a fan, though!

Aug 1st, 2016