Step 2
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Oak Barrels
The classic choice — covered in depth elsewhere. Oak does three things that no other vessel does: it adds flavor (vanilla, mocha, smoke), it lets in tiny amounts of oxygen, and it softens tannins over months.
French oak adds subtle savory notes — clove, cedar, dark chocolate. American oak adds bolder sweet notes — vanilla, coconut, dill. Argentina's icon Malbecs (Catena Adrianna, Zuccardi top tier, Susana Balbo) age almost exclusively in French oak.
This is the most studied and most discussed vessel in winemaking. We have a dedicated guide that explores oak in depth — origins, toasting, size, the Argentine 30-year journey.
