2022 Franck Balthazar, Cornas, Chaillot

Aromatically quite reductive when tasted, but on the palate this is very promising, with surprisingly rounded and succulent tannins for a 2022. Long, direct, fresh and focused, this is the most powerful of Franck Balthazar's Cornas this year. From a parcel of vines over 100 years old in lieu-dit Chaillots that previously belonged to Noël Verset.

The 2022 Cornas Chaillot is a brilliant showcase of Franck Balthazar’s capabilities. Revealing a dense, complex bouquet of dark wild berries, mulberries, blueberries, spices and flowers, it's full-bodied, dense and ample, seamless and layered with a racy character, capturing the energetic qualities of this prime hillside terroir to perfection and concluding with a long, saline finish. It's the king of the cellar that will improve with time in the cellar.

Franck Balthazar fans will need to get their hands on the 2022 Cornas Chaillot, a full-bodied, concentrated and taut Syrah with pedigree and class. Vivid violet, ripe black fruit, licorice, cedar and stemmy elements are all pushed forward. Fleshy subtleties add more complexity. Rich, layered and very long, the 2022 Chaillot is a magnificent Cornas that will need at least four more years before it starts to unleash its full potential.

Cask sample. Shows real tension and power on the nose, meaty, and with iron filings and sandalwood spice. The palate is tight with some pepper, fig and rounded, firm tannins – excellent. (AC)