when is vin de presse blended {if at all) with free flow wine?

[perfection]

I am given to understand that the marc pressed wine is collected separately from the the better quality free flow wine (vin de goutte) after fermentation
When are they mixed or blended together
- at this stage and then the blend is barrel aged OR
- much later after which the wine is subject to bottle ageing ?
What is general practice for the above.

 

[Wade E]

I blend it after all is collected. I keep 1 glass of the free flow for sampling as Im blending to make sure but then again I also use that free run glass to make sure I dont press to hard. Keep tasting to make sure though. If you are making a lot of wine Keep some free run seperate and dont blend and keep that in your private stash!