“3 Fonteinen (Oude) Kriekenlambik is the result of macerating hand-picked whole sour cherries on young lambic for at least four months, in a proportion of one kilogram of fruit per litre of lambic (and possibly blended with some more young lambic). Fruit intensity ranges from minimum 35% to 50%.”
Glassware: Stemmed tulip.
Appearance: Really deep maroon/burgundy pour. Much darker than the kriek’s we’re used to. It holds a wispy pink/purple head that weaves a wavy lace pattern down the glass.
Aroma: Somewhat dry with a musky funk. Lovely emphasis on the cherries though…very tart and juicy. The barrels play quite a big role here, there’s a prominent woodiness…we picture old cherry stained oak and sauna room. Something kind of floral as well like rose petals and violets. Quite a well layered nose actually.
Flavour: That tart and slightly sour cherry just washes over the palate. It’s not an insane amount of lacto but it definitely posseses a lot of pucker. It opens up on to a musty/woody oak with a gentle touch of lemon in the background which then presents those tart cherries and hints of blueberry and oak in the finish.
Mouthfeel: There’s a tart and tannic minerality. Light on, spritzy with a modest 5% AbV. Rather smooth.
Overall: It’s a very well polished kriek. Not overly sour and bursting with tart cherry and old oak barrels. A very fine offering.