Tonnellerie Boutes

With a reputation that precedes them, Boutes is very much a quality-driven, family owned and run cooperage. Boutes pride themselves on maintaining control of all stages of production down to the acquisition of all of their oak material direct from the assorted forests rather than from secondary stave suppliers. With their own stave mills and seasoning yards based in the centre of France they maintain further control and consistency through unique procedures such as soaking the pallets of staves prior to seasoning to extract green tannins and harsh flavours. By maintaining production levels around 30,000 barrels per year they are able to ensure that all stages of sourcing, seasoning and production are controlled and monitored through their thorough quality control system.  Consistancy from year to year is therefore maintained by having total control over all processes.

Boutes barrels have a long history of working very well throughout the world with assorted varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Boutes range is available in a classical range and the Grand Reserve range.

Classical range

Tradition

Tight grain selection for all wood with 24 months seasoning and toasting levels from medium, medium+ (recommended), heavy and medium long.  Hand crafted finish with 6 hoops.  Barrels are available on request and indent with a 1 week soaking in water to remove some wood tannins for added softness.

Selection

Tight grain selection for all wood with 36 months seasoning and toasting levels from medium, medium+ (recommended), heavy and medium long.   The additional seasoning adds a degree of subtlety to the barrel.    Hand crafted finish with 6 hoops.  Barrels are available on request and indent with a 1 week soaking in water to remove some wood tannins for added softness. 

Grand Reserve Range

A "House Barrel", specifically developed by Boutes to encapsulate the philosphy of the artesan cooper in providing a barrel with softness and minimal oak influences providing structure to great wines.  It is not recommended for wines exhibiting excessive vegetal or "green" characters as these characters tend to be emphasised with Grand Reserve barrels.  The forest, toasting and specifications for this barrel are as selected by Boutes. 

View the Tonnellerie Boutes website – Boutes Website

Characteristics:

Soft extraction and roundness are a Boutes characteristic, with an ability to build wine structure rather then providing a distinctive flavour profile.  Wines matured in Boutes barrels have found to have excellent tannins and power without overt oak influences with a genuine respect for the fruit.

The Range:

Forests available:        Centre of France

Toasting available:      Medium, Medium +, Heavy

Head Toasting available:         Yes - on request

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