Only one barrel (25 cases) of this dark-colored wine was produced in 1996. However, a year earlier there was so little of it Dugat found it necessary to blend it with his Coeur du Roi cuvee. Its precise aromas are composed of cassis-liqueur, candied blackberries, beef blood, fresh herbs, perfume, and spicy oak. This feminine, juicy, plump, ample, and concentrated wine drenches the palate with black cherries, tar, wild dark berries, and toasted oak flavors. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2007.Bernard Dugat, with the assistance of his charming wife, son, and daughter, has fashioned extraordinary 1996s, nothing new for this family who, since the 1993 vintage, has been crafting some of Burgundy's finest wines.As I left Dugat-Py's cellars (her maiden name is Py and they added it to the estate's name to differentiate themselves from Bernard's famous cousin Claude) I felt that while his 1996's were superb, his 1995s were even better. With reflection, and with my notes from both tastings in hand, I realize that it comes down to the specific wines. Certain terroirs performed better in '95, and others in '96, most probably due to the weather which dramatically cut back yields in 1995Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800.