Franck Balthazar Crozes-Hermitage Rouge 2023

Importer's Notes

(7/2025) The Balthazar domaine dates to 1931, when it was founded by Franck’s grandfather, Casimir. Balthazar is so committed to his viticulture that he plows many of his holdings with a horse and eschews the usage of artificial fertilizers, pesticides or fungicides. His approach in the cellar is just as 'old school,' where his time-honored regime includes whole-cluster, native-yeast fermentations in concrete vats; manual cap punching; and aging in old, neutral demi-muid barrels before bottling without fining or filtration. About 500 cases of Crozes-Hermitage are also made from plots in Mercurol and La Roche-de-Glun. Destemmed and raised in a mix of old 228L and 600L barrels, the Crozes is a deliciously accessible introduction to the house style.