The Dugat family is an illustrious one that is surely mentioned when discussing the just as highly prized Burgundian commune of Gevrey-Chambertin. The family has been in the Gevrey area since the early 1900's, and today takes the form of two recognised branches - that of the families of Claude Dugat and Dugat-Py. Today we'll delve into the Domaine Claude Dugat.

The story of Claude Dugat really starts with his father Maurice Dugat. It was Maurice who had purchased an ancient and historic cellar, the Cellier des Dimes, in 1955, which set in motion wines being produced under the name of his son, Claude Dugat. The Cellier des Dimes dates all the way back to 1219, where it served as a storage space for locals who would bring their agricultural tithes (in the form of grapes or cereal grains) as an offering to the local church. This would allow the Dugat family to begin their work of transcending serving only as growers, but as winemakers as well. 

Claude Dugat.

It was therefore under Claude (and his wife Marie-Therese), when the family's estate would begin to take the spotlight. Claude had brought sustainable farming to the family's estate, eschewing the use of anything synthetic or chemical, and would even engage in select biodynamic practices. He was highly attentive to the vines, and would intervene minimally, whilst focusing his efforts on optimal harvesting before the fruit would over ripen - he would assess the fruit regularly and astutely purely by tasting the fruit himself. In the cellars, he would fully destem the fruit, with fermentation taking place in concrete tanks, with gentle punchdowns twice a day. Claude would also lean on the side of using a sizeable proportion of new oak for his wines, whilst possessing great control in balancing wood with the fruit's own characteristics.

Dugat's ancient cellars.

Yet, before Claude had made a name for himself growing and producing his own wines - some might know that he in fact had followed in the practice of his father, and had first established himself as a sharp negociant, producing wines under the La Gibryotte name. Today Claude's three children, Bertrand, Laeticia and Jeanne, continue on the work of the family's vineyards and cellars, for both the domaine's wine, and that of its negociant label.

Today we'll be trying the Claude Dugat La Gibryotte Gevrey-Chambertin which comes from the family's negociant label!

Let's go!

Wine Review: Claude Dugat La Gibryotte Gevrey-Chambertin 2020

Tasting Notes

Colour: Light Garnet

Aroma: Fresh soil, really evocative, comes through first, airy and heady, coupled with a bed of violet florals. Almost like walking through the vineyards in the early morning. There's a slight barnyard quality of animal hide that comes through as well. It's vibrant and leans brighter, with great freshness.

Taste: The brightness carries through on the palate, this time in the form of red fruits - cranberries and raspberries, freshly picked and crushed, giving way to lots of bright and streaky acidity and tartness. It leans lighter bodied, with quite the mineral backbone.

Finish: More of that soil, animal hide, along with some spices of cloves. A gentle richness of blackcurrants lightly washes over the finish.

My Thoughts

A tasty and fresh expression from Dugat, it's vibrant and bold with flavours that are forward and concentrated, contrasted against a lighter body. The flavours remain balanced and cohesive, energetic and lively, again always expressing itself with good intensity and great freshness. It delivers well on that rustic purity that makes you feel like you're right there amongst the vines!

Kanpai!

@111hotpot