Grand Cru | 3 Year Air-Seasoned Wood

3 Year Open Air-Seasoned Oak

Designed to respect the fruit and bring complexity, volume and length to high-end wines.

The Grand Cru 3 year, open air-seasoned American oak barrel is about balance. The tight-grain oak of this barrel provides a slow and even extraction of compounds. Pleasing toasted oak flavors are complemented by brown spices, providing finesse and a broad range of aromas and taste sensations. Subtle and elegant, the Grand Cru barrel allows for a harmonious integration of wine and oak, enhancing the structure and lengthening the finish of fine wines.

Wood Selection and 100% Natural Seasoning

  • Carefully selected American white oak that has been third-party certified and open air-seasoned for a minimum of 36 months – certified annually since 2006.
  • All staves are hand-selected to ensure fine to extra-fine grain and tightness with aesthetic appeal.

Toasting Technology

  • Bent and toasted over an open oak fire, employing precise time and temperature formulas, monitored by computerized sensors.
  • Proprietary toasting levels: light, medium, medium plus and heavy.
  • Barrel heads are toasted, or plain by request.

Tasting Notes

Elegance, subtlety and balance are brought forth from the seamless integration of wine and oak offered by the Grand Cru barrel. A complex balance of toasty oak and bright spice adds caramel, brioche, cinnamon and nutmeg accents to the wine. The Grand Cru barrel is ideal for extended aging of fine wines.

Special Features

  • HACCP food safety – third-party certified since 2006.
  • Computerized traceability. Unique identification number per barrel.
  • Haloanisole and Halophenol panel tested multiple times during production process.
  • Cauterized 50 mm bung hole; 42-52 mm by request. Silicone bung included.
  • Galvanized steel hoops. Special hoop placement available upon request.
  • Thin stave option available for Bordeaux barrels.
  • Laser branding. Optional customized logo on barrel head.
  • Superb workmanship and finishing.
  • Reinforced packaging available upon request.
Barrel Size Length Head Diameter Bilge Diameter Weight Hoops Thickness
200 L 88.1 cm
34.75 in
55.3 cm
21.75 in
64.0 cm
25.19 in
48 kg
105 lb
6 27 mm
1.06 in
225 L Bordeaux 93.3 cm
36.75 in
57.0 cm
22.5 in
68.1 cm
26.8 in
50 kg
110 lb
6 or 8 27 mm
1.06 in
228 L Burgundy 87.1 cm
34.3 in
59.7 cm
23.5 in
70.5 cm
27.7 in
50 kg
110 lb
6 or 8 27 mm
1.06 in
265 L 93.3 cm
36.75 in
62.3 cm
24.5 in
73.0 cm
28.7 in
55 kg
120 lb
6 or 8 27 mm
1.06 in
300 L Hogshead * 101.0 cm
39.75 in
62.3 cm
24.5 in
75.4 cm
29.7 in
60 kg
133 lb
6 or 8 27 mm
1.06 in

Barrel Sizes

200 L 225 L Bordeaux 228 L Burgundy 265 L 300 L Hogshead*
Length 88.1 cm
34.75 in
93.3 cm
36.75 in
87.1 cm
34.3 in
93.3 cm
36.75 in
101.0 cm
39.75 in
Head Diameter 55.3 cm
21.75 cm
57.0 cm
22.5 in
59.7 cm
23.5 in
62.3 cm
24.5 in
62.3 cm
24.5 in
Bilge Diameter 64.0 in
25.19 cm
68.1 cm
26.8 cm
70.5 cm
27.7 cm
73.0 cm
28.7 cm
75.4 cm
29.7 cm
Weight 48 kg
105 lb
50 kg
110 lb
50 kg
110 lb
55 kg
120 lb
60 kg
133 lb
Hoops 6 6 or 8 6 or 8 6 or 8 6 or 8
Thickness 27 mm
1.06 in
27 mm
1.06 in
27 mm
1.06 in
27 mm
1.06 in
27 mm
1.06 in

* Please check availability due to wood allocation