Domaine Bernard Dugat-Py

Bernard Dugat, who now manages 10 ha with the additions of several recent purchases and some vineyards from within the Dugat-Py family, said that 2008 was "one of those vintages where we were wondering if the fruit would ever get completely ripe as it was certainly difficult to be optimistic before the 13th of September. However, after a fierce storm the night of the 12th, the next morning was bright, sunny, cool and windy. The north wind dried things out and while we did not have a big problem with rot, what little there was dried up. We elected to begin picking on the 24th of September and while it was necessary to sort, I would estimate our total losses between under ripe fruit and rot-affected berries at between 5 and 10%. This knocked our net yields down somewhat and we ended up realizing approximately 23 hl/ha, which includes the Bourgogne. Sugars were adequate at between 12.25 and 12.5%. I chaptalized on average .25% and this was primarily to extend the fermentations rather than to add alcohol. We did a normal vinification with varying degrees of destemming that lasted approximately 3 weeks. Overall, I like the vintage and it should be quite long-lived." Dugat also noted that the malos were very long however and unfortunately, it wasn't possible to taste the entire range due to some wines being exceptionally reduced. The quality of the in-bottle '07s is among the best the vintage produced and if you can find the wines, they are most impressive. It pays to remember however that the Dugat-Py wines are built for the very long haul and it is largely pointless to open them young.