Tonnellerie Dominique Laurent

Burgundy micro-négoce Dominique Laurent has his own tiny cooperage, producing some of the world’s best and most distinctive barrels. Crafted from long-seasoned, tight-grained, thick-staved Tronçais wood of the highest class, the quality is such that renowned French wine critic Michel Bettane once nick-named them “Magic Casks”. This name has stuck and became the official name of one line of Laurent barrels—the original version he still produces.

This artisanal tonnellerie only produces between 500 and 1,000 barrels each year, including what may well be the only 100% guaranteed old-growth Tronçais barrique on the market, sourced from ancient trees in France’s most revered oak forest, the Forêt de Tronçais, under a strict regenerative forestry plan. These are very special casks for very special wines.

Today, the Dominique Laurent cooperage makes six types of barrels. Last year, a new cask called Special Fine Grain Nevers was added, which Laurent has christened his ‘baby Magic’. This year, Laurent again offers a new barrel fashioned from traditionally cut staves from the Tronçais, which he has called Special Fine Grain Allier.

All the casks are made in tiny quantities to the same exacting standards. We acknowledge what should go without saying: these casks are among the most expensive on the market. This reflects the quality and rarity of the oak, the thickness of the staves, the skilled workmanship applied to manage such thick staves, the exacting practice and the tiny size of the cooperage. However, we are pleased to report that Laurent’s tariff has not increased this year.

These casks can live and function positively for decades if treated correctly, and they can easily be reconditioned without loss of quality thanks to the thickness of the staves. In short, we believe you get what you pay for.

These are very special casks made for very special wines. More information can be found here.

 

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