Optima
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When the finest oak is combined with craftsmanship and modern production techniques the outcome is the optimum wine barrel.
Key features of the Optima range of barrels include:
Finest Oak
The Optima range of barrels is designed to meet winemakers' demands for quality French and American oak barriques, hogsheads and puncheons.
Range
Choose from the quality Optima range or Optima HandSelect French or American oak barrels. Hand select barrels are manufactured using selected and graded material that has been hand sorted for its fineness of grain and extended wine maturation potential.
Certified suppliers
Wood for the Optima range of barrels comes from the finest ISO registered or nationally certified oak suppliers in France and America to ensure compliance with our strict specification for wood quality and seasoning. The oak is only shipped to our cooperage when it has been seasoned for a minimum of 24 months.
Flavour Characters
A strict seasoning regime results in the Optima barrels having low astringency, a subtle tannin structure and low levels of lactones. However, we work closely with winemakers to customise wood origin, wood grain and toast level specifications to help achieve their unique flavour outcomes.
Temperature Controlled Toasting
Toasting involves pre-heating the inside of the barrel to stabilise the oak, protecting and enhancing the flavours. Optima barrels are then oak-fire toasted with the temperature of the oak computer monitored via infared sensors to ensure consistent and repeatable toast profiles as well as eliminating blistering from the toasting process.
Choose Your Toast Character
• Heavier toasting develops subtle smoky and less pronounced vanilla characteristics that open in the nose rather than the palate.
• Medium toasting delivers caramel, butter, coffee and vanilla/spice flavours that marry well with most wines.
• Light toasting can impart more woody overtones.
Contact us with your enquiry today.
