A unique range of Barrel Quality Oak
We are committed to the responsible use of oak that is sustainably and responsibly sourced.
About Barrel Quality Oak
For hundreds of years, traditional barrels have been conceived and used in the same way, as a maturation container with three single purposes: Hold liquid, allow ingress of oxygen and pass on tannins and aromas to the wine. All three purposes being achieved by using a single resource, centuries-old oak trees.
When maturing in traditional barrels, your precious wine is in contact with only 3 to 5 millimetres of oak which is less than 20% of the total barrel oak amount. The 80% remaining oak is simply never used for its oenological properties and with the only aim to serve as a good-looking oxygen-permeable container.
While this is how it has traditionally worked, at Flexcube, we believe we can do better and manage our precious secular oak in a more efficient and sustainable manner. We believe using prized oak trees as a simple container must come to an end and only use what is needed for its oenological gift.
We replaced the oak container by a highly innovative oxygen permeable polymer shell (which is more consistent than any traditional barrel in terms of oxygenation) and focused the use of oak for what it is required: its oenological properties. We designed BarriQ barrel oak to be immersed in the wine and not the other way around.
BarriQ barrel oak is sourced from the finest cooperage forests in France, Russia and America, our oak has been designed to match the flavours, tannins, aromatics, properties and complexities of the finest oak barrels. Our oak is hand split rather than sawn and seasoned in our own yards for a minimum of 24 months.
The oak is still the same, genuine barrel oak, simply not bent and hooped. By introducing this evolution in shape, the contact surface has increased and the wine now embraces every single side of the oak stave, including the ends. The wine can now flow through the tubes along the full length of the stave and be perfectly nourished by the aromas of the oak, resulting in an optimal and responsible oak maturation.
BarriQ barrel quality oak
BarriQ barrel quality oak is genuine barrel quality oak made up to recipes that winemakers have asked for. Our Grand BarriQ Packs equate to 60% new barrel oak when used in a 1000 L Flexcube. Our Petite BarriQ Packs equate to 40% new barrel oak when used in a 1000 L Flexcube.
French
French Classic Barrel Blend with Toasted/Untoasted Heads
This a very Classic Bordeaux or Burgundy barrel combination of 3⁄4 toasted shell wood with a majority of medium toast, to provide a lot of complexity and sweetness (vanilla, fresh bread, toast and chocolate), some medium plus toast for spice, roast and moka and a touch of high toast for empyreumatic notes (black pepper, coffee, toffee and hot smoke), completed with 1⁄4 of untoasted headpieces that provide minerality, structure, and freshness. A tremendous barrel-blend for most ripe, sound, and concentrated wines.
American
American Barrel Blend with Toasted/Untoasted Heads
Our American BarriQ is a white oak barrel-blend combines a reasonable dose of lactones from untoasted wood pieces, with the sweet and spicy aromatics of a Medium and Medium Plus toast with a touch of smokiness to refresh it all. With its low tannic profile, this barrel-blend is ideal to bring an aromatic complement to an already well-structured wine.
Russian
Russian Barrel Blend with Untoasted Heads
Our Russian oak has moderate aromatic properties but a very distinct sharp and fresh tannic profile. It is a perfect match with cool‐climate mineral or zesty whites to preserve their tension and flint‐stone notes. It is also a very interesting barrel-blend for hot climate fruit, with surprisingly refreshing properties on overripe or jammy reds.
Jupilles
Jupilles Barrel Blend with Untoasted Heads
Jupilles is one of our most exquisite ranges. This single forest BarriQ comes from the renowned woods of Jupilles of France. Its highly prized secular oak has very fine grain. Thanks to its tight tannins, Jupilles oak releases and integrates its flavours, aromas and tannins into the wine more slowly than barrel oak from other origins. Its a perfect match for complex reds and sweet and mineral whites.
Tronçais
Tronçais Barrel Blend with Untoasted Heads
Tronçais is the second of our two most exquisite ranges. This single forest BarriQ oak from the renowned forests of Tronçais into the centre of France has a very tight grain, which releases and integrates its flavours into the wine more slowly. These exclusive origins offer distinctively elegant tannins and is also perfectly suited for complex reds and sweet and mineral wines.
LBarriQ specifications, extraction rates & care
From the same noble origins as BarriQ, LBarriQ (literally “little BarriQ”) is cut thinner to provide greater surface area for faster extraction. It conveys elegant aromatics and flavours, softening and structured tannins. One LBarriQ pack equates to 31% new oak when coupled with a 1000 L Flexcube.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux barrel-blend
Designed to replicate the oakwood masses of each toast level in a traditional Bordeaux 225L barrel with a Medium/Medium Plus toast shell and a hint of untoasted heads, the perfect combination for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Burgundy
Burgundy barrel-blend
Designed to replicate the oakwood masses of each toast level in a traditional Burgundy 228L barrel with a Medium Long toast shell and untoasted heads, ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Northern
Northern Rhone barrel-blend
Designed to replicate the oakwood masses of each toast level in a traditional barrique, with a recipe especially suited to preserve and support the freshness of cooler style Rhone varietals.
Southern
Southern Rhone barrel-blend
Designed to replicate the oakwood masses of each toast level in a traditional barrique, with a recipe speciallycraed to complement powerful and well‐structured “warm” southern Rhone varietals.
Order your Oak
If you have an enquiry or would like to place an order, please contact us via phone, email or by filling in the form below.
For more information also see our Product List.