Wine of the Week: Yves Gangloff La Serine Noir 2007

A very special wine from a very special friend and vigernon.

This wine shares the lieux-dits of Combard- Mollard and Côte Rozier, which grow the oldest vines of the estate (average age 40 years ). Vinification is identical to Barbarine but focuses on the moderate extraction of the Syrah (100%). Destemming from 50 to 70%. The idea is to work the soil more but not the grape. Maturation in barrels, 50 to 80% in fresh/new wood, the others in barrels for 1 to 2 wines for 2 to 24 months.

From Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar Jan/Feb 2010:

Inky purple. Dark berries and kirsch on the nose, with hints of violet, cocoa and espresso adding complexity. Much more structured, rich and deep than the Barbarine but less vibrant. The sweet dark fruit flavors are framed by chewy tannins that fade into the fruit on the back end. Fans of large-scaled syrah will go for this. The finish is broad and pungent, with a strong echo of dark fruit lingering.