Franck Balthazar Côtes du Rhône

March 11th, 2026

German Occasionally a wine reminds you that great producers elevate everything they touch. Franck Balthazar’s Côtes-du-Rhône is a perfect example.

Balthazar is one of the steafdast leaders of the traditional winemaking movement in France’s Northern Rhône. Working steep granite slopes and embracing deeply traditional farming and cellar practices, he quickly built a reputation for producing some of the most expressive and authentic wines not just in Cornas, but in the entire Northern Rhône.

While his Cornas bottlings are highly sought after by collectors, Balthazar also crafts a handful of wines outside the appellation that offer an incredible window into his style. This Côtes-du-Rhône is one of them.

He works with a friend in Séguret to produce the wine, built primarily from Syrah and rounded out with a touch of Grenache. As wine writer Jon Bonné once described it, it’s “a southern Syrah from a master of the form.”

Côtes-du-Rhône is often thought of as an everyday wine—but when a meticulous Cornas producer like Balthazar turns his attention to it, the result is something far more distinctive. 

In the glass, the wine shows classic Rhône character in abundance. It’s full-bodied yet graceful, with smooth, restrained tannins and layered aromas of red and black berries, violets, and peppery spice. Savory hints of leather and herbs lead into a fresh, slightly mineral finish that keeps the wine vibrant and balanced.

The result is a Côtes-du-Rhône that feels far more refined and expressive than most bottles in the category—a beautifully made Rhône blend from a top artisan producer, offered at a remarkably accessible price point

Pair it with grilled lamb, roast chicken, hearty stews, or charcuterie—or simply enjoy it on its own. We’re also pouring it by the glass in the restaurant, so join us for dinner and experience how beautifully it shines alongside food.