Dugat-Py, Gevrey-Chambertin, Vieilles Vignes, Côte de Nuits, France, 2016

Overview of the Wine
This legendary estate located in Gevrey-Chambertin has been producing spectacular wines for 13 generations. The wines of Dugat-Py have been praised by Allen Meadows, Antonio Galloni and many great wine critics here in the US. The domaine is also one of only 13 in the Côtes de Nuits to be awarded 3 stars in the very prestigious and respected Revue du Vin De France, next to the likes of DRC, Domaine Leroy and Georges Roumier to name a few.

While the original vineyards are located in Gevrey, they purchased vines in Meursault and Pommard in 2003, and added vineyards in Chassagne 1er cru Morgeot in 2004. In 2009, they added Gevrey Les Evocelles and in 2011, both Corton-Charlemagne and Pernand-Vergelesses Sous Frétilles. Every single wine produced comes from 100% estate vines. While it may seem a bit strange to have parcels throughout Burgundy while based in Gevrey, Loïc is on an obsessive hunt for old vines, and very old parcels of Pinot Fin and Chardonnay. One of the many strengths of Domaine Dugat-Py is the age of their vines. Every single wine aside from the Bourgogne Rouge and Blanc are either labeled Vieilles Vignes or Très Vieilles Vignes (65 years average vine age, with the oldest vines over 100 years). They tend to their vineyards like a garden, plowing all the 1er Cru and Grand Cru parcels by horse, using a range of biodynamic preparations and teas which are made in-house. As it relates to their viticultural beliefs, they do not believe in trimming the apex of their vines (similar to methods used by Leroy, D’Auvenay & Rayas). As a result, the trellising may sometimes reach upwards of 7 or 8 feet high, with all leafing done by hand in the summer months. This allows the grapes to be protected from direct sunlight, and to acquire their energy from the leaves and the apex of the vines. The family produces classic Vins de Garde, Village wines need at least 5 years to fully develop, while the 1er & Grand Crus benefit from longer aging and have the potential to age gracefully upwards of 50 years in a well-maintained cellar. They are deep in color, with explosive fruit and chiseled tannins, yet the alcohol is never elevated, and rarely over 13.5%. They tend to harvest on the earlier side to retain freshness and elegance.

Winemakers
Loïc and Bernard Dugat-Py

Grape / Blend
Pinot Noir

Origin
Côte de Nuits, Côte d'Or, France

Tasting Notes
The taste of wine is particularly dense and good structure, there are rich tones of ripe raspberries. The finish is very long and pleasant. In the present flavor tones of red berries, mainly raspberries. Caught by spicy notes, shades of powder and oak bark. Wine is recommended to use paired with grilled meat and fried meat, sauce, various cheeses.

92 Points - Burghound
Reduction presently masks the underlying fruit but the nose seems ripe. Otherwise the dense and energetic medium-bodied flavors possess lovely detail while offering fine length on the balanced and impressively complex finish. This is an excellent Gevrey villages. Barrel Sample: 89-92

90 Points - Decanter
From vines between 30 and 60 years old, vinified with around 30% whole cluster fruit, Loïc Dugat-Py’s Gevrey Vieilles Vignes offers up a classic bouquet of red and black fruit, liquorice, rich soil and grilled meat. The wine is full-bodied, structured around a fine bit firm chassis of tannin, with a core of deep and vibrant fruit.

90 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, which comes from vines between 30 and 50 years old and matured in 30% to 40% new oak with a small amount of whole cluster, has a crisp stony, blackberry and bilberry-scented bouquet, not powerful but precise. The palate is marked by slight chalky tannin, linear and strict, full of energy with a smudge of raspberry preserve hanging around on the aftertaste. Give this Vieilles Vignes three or four years in bottle just to abrade those tannins. 
Barrel Sample: 88-90

Product size: 750ml