Balthazar/Franck Cornas Cuvée Casimir Balthazar 2023

94 points Nicolas Greinacher (Vinous): "The 2023 Cornas Cuvée Casimir Balthazar opens with expressive notes of orange blossom, fresh violets, black cherry, red plum, stemmy nuances and fine traces of cured meat. On the medium-bodied palate, it shows lifted freshness and impressive clarity. This is a carefully built, densely packed Cornas that I admittedly underestimated when tasting it from barrel at the winery last year. Like the Chaillot Cuvée Hommage from the same vintage, it carries tremendous intensity yet never feels heavy. Simply gorgeous. Drink: 2028-2036. (Jan 2026)"

94 points James Suckling: "I love the brightness of this excellent modern Cornas. That begins with the effusive red and black fruit aromas, including both colors of raspberries. Then comes the compact structure on the medium- to full-bodied palate, where the plush tannins are illuminated by tingling mineral acidity. Already very harmonious in the long, moderately dry finish. Drink from release. (4/21/25)"

93 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "A fresh, juicy and herbal style; the acidity isn’t terribly high but it does have a fresh feel. Black pepper, oregano and sappy raspberries make for a lighter, crunchier style than some vintages. Drinking Window: 2025-2029. (Oct 2024)"