2019 Franck Balthazar Cornas 'Chaillot'

Franck continues to make Cornas that straddles tradition and forward thinking. The wines have that classic deep coloration and relentlessly earthy structure. Yet at the same time they pop with beguiling fruit even in their infancy and the abundant tannins are nevertheless fine. Franck prefers old 600L demi-muids to smaller barrels and uses minimal sulfur. There was less rain at the end of the vintage in Cornas compared to neighbouring appellations so these are particularly concentrated and powerful wines. 

2019 Cornas 'Chaillot,' Deep-pitched blackberry, cherry, cassis and pungent floral qualities on the intensely perfumed, mineral-accented nose. Sappy and densely packed yet lively as well, offering bitter cherry, dark berry preserve and candied violet flavors and a hint of salty olive. Shows superb detail and mineral drive on the youthfully tannic finish, which hangs on with strong, dark-fruit-dominated tenacity. - Joshua Reynolds, Vinous