Lot presentation

Cornas Juliette Franck Balthazar (Domaine) 2020

The wine

A Hazelburn single cask distilled in 2001, matured in a bourbon cask and bottled in 2015 for the Authentic Collection. Cadenhead's was founded in Aberdeen in 1842 by George Duncan. William Cadenhead then joined the company and, when George Duncan died in 1858, took over and renamed the business after himself. William’’s nephew Roberth Duthie developed the company in the early 20th century and it remained a family business until 1969. William Cadenhead Ltd was then sold to the Springbank distillery’’s owner J. & A. Mitchell and Co. Hedley G. Wright, a direct descendent of Archibald and John Mitchell, became William Cadenhead Ltd’’s CEO. In the past, Cadenhead had mainly sold its own brands, such as Putachieside, The Hielanman, Seven Stars and Green Label rums. Under Hedley G. Wright, the company began to take more of an interest in single malts. This led to the creation of the legendary collection of dumpy bottles in 1977. This series of single malts stood out for its very gentle filtration, lack of artificial colouring, and relatively high bottling strength for the time (80 proof/45.7% ABV). The labels included lots of information, including the month and year of distillation and bottling, and whether or not sherry casks were used. Also in 1977, the business moved to another address in Aberdeen, and finally to Campbeltown. In the 1980s, Cadenhead sold casks to legendary bottlers such as Samaroli and Corti Brothers through the subsidiary Duthie’’s. Finally, two new whisky ranges were created in 1991 and 1992, the Original Collection bottled at 46% and the Authentic Collection bottled at cask strength. Other special series to mark Cadenhead’’s major anniversaries (150 and 175 years), as well as new ranges launched since (Small Batch, World Whiskies, etc.), have all contributed to the company’’s ongoing history up to the present day. A limited edition of 288 bottles.

About the Producer Franck Balthazar

Founded in 1931 by Franck Balthazar's grandfather, Casimir Balthazar, this domain saw real change under its current director. Balthazar really admired the elegance of the wines from Pierre-Marie Clape and the natural fruitiness of wines from Thierry Allemand. This inspired him to combine the two elements, and his efforts paid off! Along the way he converted his vineyard to organic in 2010 and he cultivates the land with a hand-plough. In the cellar activities are no less meticulous. Whole-cluster fermentation is kicked off with indigenous yeasts, followed by a long maceration and maturation over 12-18 months in old demi-muids so the wood does not affect the taste of the wine. Sulphite additions are limited. These ingredients are conducive to complex, delicate and well-balanced wines. Behold one of the iconic domains in the Cornas appellation!

Detailed characteristics