Franck Balthazar, Cornas Sans Soufre Ajoute Vintage:2022 supported by exquisitely ripe

supported by exquisitely ripe

On the plus side there is both good freshness and verve to the delicious and solidly concentrated medium weight flavors that offer fine persistence on the clean and dry if only moderately complex finish

finishing very long and gently chewy

Generous wood fights somewhat with the ripe liqueur-like nose that is comprised primarily by notes of both red and dark pinot fruit that are liberally laced with pungent earth nuances

ash and incense along with really refined tannins with intense

Franck Balthazar, Cornas Sans Soufre Ajoute Vintage:2022 supported by exquisitely ripeMade from Balthazar's youngest Cornas vines, the 2018 Cornas Sans Soufre Ajout showcases ebullient notes of fresh raspberries. It's full bodied, lush and velvety yet also fresh, vibrant and immediate. I'd drink it young to capture that spirit, in spite of the substantial, dusty, cocoa like tannins on the finish.