Fou' Foune '05 & '06

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by claaark13, Jul 3, 2012.

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  1. claaark13

    claaark13 Maven (1,412) Nov 29, 2007 Indiana
    Trader

    I have received two bottles and been at a tasting of a third that all look the same. The corks are dated 2005 and the bottles have "12/06" on the back label, bottom right corner if I remember the location correctly. I was told by the other trader (CA guy) that the first bottle was an '06. I was told by the second trader (also CA guy) that my second bottle was an '05, which I currently still have. The third bottle, opened at a recent tasting, came in a trade from a Chicago guy who said it was an '05. The last two people are reliable, but after talking to a few people about their thoughts, I've become skeptical. I don't actually care if I have one over the other, I'm more interested in clearing this up (if possible) so that I know what I have.

    Cantillon is known to use old corks. The "12/06" on the back confuses me though, as I'd thought that Fou' Foune had always been a Fall release.

    If someone has a vertical and can provide some input, it would be appreciated.
     
    #1 claaark13, Jul 3, 2012
  2. callmemickey

    callmemickey Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2007 Pennsylvania

    I have one of the Fou Founes with similar markings. Cantillon used to use a different marking system than they currently do. If you look closely, it's not just "12/06" as in December 06, but rather is "L 12/06" as in Lot 12 of 06.
    For a period of time Cantillon used to consistently mark their labels: L.1 was 750ml Gueuze, L.2 375ml Gueuze, L.3 750ml Kriek, L.4 375ml Kriek, L.5 750ml Rose, L.6 375ml Rose, L.7 750ml Vigneronne, L.8 375ml Vigneronne.... L.12 was 750ml Fou Foune.

    For example I have 750ml Gueuze with 1996 corks labeled L 1/97, 375ml Vigneronne with 1998 corks labeled L 8/98 and then the Fou Foune with 2005 corks labeled L 12/06. My understanding is that "06" represents the 05-06 brew season. It's kind of like football, you don't have 2006 season champions, you have 2005-2006 season champions.
     
    #2 callmemickey, Jul 3, 2012
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  3. callmemickey

    callmemickey Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2007 Pennsylvania

    As an additional point, this marking system only applied to bottles not labeled for US importation (i.e. with just French and Dutch on the back). I have 2004 375ml Gueuze labeled for euro distro with "L 2/05" but 2003 375ml gueuze with shelton brothers info on the back missing these markings.
     
    #3 callmemickey, Jul 3, 2012
  4. DarthKostrizer

    DarthKostrizer Initiate (0) May 13, 2011 California

    If you send it to me I can taste it for you and I will without a doubt be able to tell you which year it is :grinning:
     
    #4 DarthKostrizer, Jul 4, 2012
    ehammond1 and claaark13 like this.
  5. callmemickey

    callmemickey Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2007 Pennsylvania

    Gotta love Cantillon label consistency. My guess is the use of leftover corks and left over labels leads to much of the inconsistency.
     
    #5 callmemickey, Jul 4, 2012
  6. claaark13

    claaark13 Maven (1,412) Nov 29, 2007 Indiana
    Trader

    Same with my bottles.

    callmemickey, so the bottles that I've had/seen would most likely be from 2006, correct?
     
    #6 claaark13, Jul 5, 2012
  7. ehammond1

    ehammond1 Initiate (0) Jul 4, 2008

    I can vouch for, and will help, Mr. DarthKostrizer.
     
    #7 ehammond1, Jul 5, 2012
  8. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    That's rich coming from you.
     
    #8 UCLABrewN84, Jul 5, 2012
  9. callmemickey

    callmemickey Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2007 Pennsylvania

    I think the likely conclusion would be that they are from 2005 (the 05-06 brew season).

    Considering that Fou Foune is bottled early fall (typically August/September) it would be unlikely that they had leftover 2005 corks in the fall of 2006. Most (but not all) of the bottles I've seen with left over corks have been January and February bottlings.
     
    #9 callmemickey, Jul 5, 2012
  10. claaark13

    claaark13 Maven (1,412) Nov 29, 2007 Indiana
    Trader

    Although a little bit confusing, at least it is much easier than dating most De Dolle and Fantome.
     
    #10 claaark13, Jul 5, 2012
    Gonzoillini and jedwards like this.
  11. BearsOnAcid

    BearsOnAcid Pooh-Bah (2,239) Mar 17, 2009 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Don't even bother with Fantome. I've had bottles from "fresh" cases that tasted like they were 5 years old.
     
    #11 BearsOnAcid, Jul 5, 2012
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