Thiméo: Tonnellerie Bossuet's ultra premium barrel

In 2014, responding to winemakers asking for a barrel for their top cuvees, the Thiméo barrel was developed by Jean-Louis Bossuet. Named after his grandson Thiméo, the third generation of the Bossuet family to live at the cooperage, this barrel was born out of Jean-Louis’s desire to raise the bar as high as he could in his craft. Akin to a reserve cabernet, Thiméo is the epitome of the mastery of barrel making at the Bossuet Cooperage. It is extremely tight grain at 1 mm or less, perhaps the tightest grain barrel you will find available. It is a proprietary blend of top forests that showcases Jean Louis forest expertise from his many years of sourcing wood for the top cooperages in Bordeaux. The oak is aged 36 months outside the cooperage to ensure the final product is fully seasoned. The result of these factors is a barrel that is elegant but structured and the perfect match for wines that require extended aging to reach their maturation.

One might think that a top tier barrel would have greater impact, but it quite the opposite with the Thiméo. This barrel is all about elegance, finesse, and fine silky tannins. The ultra tight grained wood slowly ages wine and integrates the soft flavors harmoniously. The Thiméo barrels are most commonly used as a 20-21mm Thin Stave barrel but can be crafted in 27mm staves as well.

The Thiméo barrel is appreciated by top growths in Bordeaux and many cult Napa Cabernet houses. These producers know that a barrel like Thiméo from Tonnellerie Bossuet can make their wine stand apart.

Production is currently limited to 300 barrels a year based on available wood selection.