Yves Gangloff makes some of the most exciting and sought after Cote Rotie from his miniscule domaine in Condrieu. Producing two different expressions of Cote Rotie from just 2.4 hectares of vines, these are highly prized across the world and only ever available in very limited quantities. His popularity in France also means that only a very limited amount is ever exported, making it even harder to find, and the majority of allocations are for fewer than 6 bottles, so original cases are very rare indeed.

I have not yet been lucky enough to be invited, but visiting Yves' cellar is apparently more like visiting the home of a rock star! Lively background music fills the air at all times, whilst Yves chats away whilst pouring. Yves himself is a lively character, brimming with stories and musical anecdotes - he is a keen guitar player himself and reportedly owns over 25 guitars! As is the case in so many wineries, the wines reflect the man himself - they are bold, serious and concentrated, full of stories to tell!
 

The vines are located in the lieux-dits of Combard, Mollard and Rozier, which are mostly steep hillsides with gneiss, granite and mica schist soil. The vines are mostly located in the southern part of Cote Rotie, meaning his terroir is ever so slightly cooler than his peers.
 
Cote Rotie La Barbarine was first produced in 1997, from an average blend of 92% Syrah and 8% Viognier. It is a blend of ‘young’ vines blended with older vines, all at least 50 years of age. Vinification takes place in steel tank, before ageing in mostly used French oak barrels for up to 23 months before bottling. Around 600 cases are made per annum.
 
Cote Rotie La Sereine Noire is made from 100% old vine Syrah from separate plots within the same vineyards. It is essentially a blend of Cote Blonde and Cote Brune. Winemaking is slightly different in this cuvee as around half of the bunches will be fully destemmed, and following vinification in tank, the wine is transferred to new French oak (30-50% new) where it ages for 24 months. Annual production is around 450 cases per annum