2017 Franck Balthazar Cornas Cuvée Casimir
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Deep, glistening ruby. Mineral- and spice-accented aromas of fresh dark berries, licorice and candied violet show impressive clarity and lift. Bright and lively in the mouth, offering juicy black raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors that slowly deepen through the back half. Turns sweeter on the long, focused finish, which features well-integrated tannins and lingering floral and exotic spice notes.
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Josh Raynolds
Josh Raynolds
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The 2017 Cornas Cuvée Casimir Balthazar includes fruit from 1961 plantings in Les Mazards (30% of the blend) and 2007 plantings in La Légre (70%). Wild herbs, blueberries and licorice all appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is ripe and round yet firmly structured. It's both approachable and ageable.
Brilliant violet color. Mineral- and spice-accented cherry, boysenberry, incense and candied violet on the highly perfumed nose. Nicely concentrated but lively as well, offering palate-staining red/blue fruit, spicecake, floral pastille and salty olive flavors that spread out slowly on the back half. Blends power and finesse with a smooth hand and finishes sweet and long, with silky tannins folding quickly into the wine's juicy, energetic fruit.