The Producer
A discreet yet essential figure in the northern Rhône Valley, Yves Gangloff settled in Ampuis in the early 1980s after a unique journey that combined music and craftsmanship. A passionate self-taught winemaker, he quickly built a reputation among wine enthusiasts thanks to his very personal vision of Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu. Alongside his wife Mathilde, he developed a style that has become emblematic, sought after well beyond French borders, while remaining true to a deliberately confidential production.
The estate rests on superb plots located on the steep hillsides of Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu, worked with extreme care. The granite soils, sometimes mixed with schist and loess, offer an expression of great finesse, enhanced by ideal exposures. The vines, mostly old, are cultivated in a spirit close to organic viticulture, without dogmatic claims but with a deep respect for life and natural balances.
Today, the Domaine Yves Gangloff is universally recognized for the purity, sensuality, and depth of its wines. The Côte-Rôtie wines stand out for their floral elegance, silky texture, and remarkable aging potential, while the Condrieu wines charm with their aromatic intensity and well-balanced structure. Produced in very small quantities, the wines from the estate have become absolute references for lovers of great Rhône wines, combining emotion, precision, and authenticity.
The Wine
The cuvée La Sereine Noire comes from old Syrah vines planted on the granitic soils of the Côte Brune, cultivated with very controlled yields and careful soil work, in a respectful approach to nature. The vinification relies on a high proportion of whole bunches, with long and gentle fermentations favoring floral expression and aromatic complexity. The aging takes place in oak barrels, mostly old, in order to preserve the purity of the fruit and the identity of the terroir.
Tasting
La Sereine Noire reveals a deep and complex nose blending dark flowers, ripe black fruits, delicate spices, and subtle smoky notes. The palate is ample and elegant, supported by a tannic structure of great finesse, remarkable freshness, and a depth that lingers long in the finish. A wine for long aging, it will benefit from being opened or decanted 2 to 3 hours before tasting and can evolve gracefully over 20 to 30 years depending on the vintage.