Eric Rodez : Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Eric Rodez Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru

Tasting

Appearance

The colour is a deep golden hue, at times with delicate pink highlights, reflecting the ripeness of the Pinot Noir and its time in oak. The mousse is fine and abundant, with a creamy texture and a persistent stream of bubbles.

Nose

The nose is powerful and expressive, led by red fruit aromas alongside hints of dried and candied fruit. More complex notes of pastry, brioche, honey and white flowers enrich the aromatic palette, while subtle smoky nuances may emerge with aeration.

Palate

The palate is powerful and muscular, yet remarkably balanced thanks to its freshness. Vibrant acidity and a chalky mineral backbone bring tension to an ample, generous texture, leading to a long, lingering finish marked by minerality.

Food and wine pairings

This Champagne is an ideal match for fine charcuterie, foie gras or terrines, whose richness is balanced by the wine's freshness. It also pairs very well with roast white meats, as well as oily fish such as salmon or tuna. With hard, mature cheeses, its structure and length on the palate make it an excellent partner.

Serving and cellaring

The Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru NM is best served between 7 and 8°C in a wide white Burgundy-style glass, which will reveal its full aromatic complexity and texture. Thanks to its structure and preserved freshness, this Champagne has fine potential for further development in the bottle.

Eric Rodez, the expression of Ambonnay Pinot Noir in Grand Cru

The estate

The Champagne house Eric Rodez is a family estate based in Ambonnay, a village classified Grand Cru on the Montagne de Reims. The Rodez family's winemaking history dates back to 1757, but it was in 1984 that Éric Rodez took over the running of the estate, following a formative experience at Champagne Krug. Now supported by his son Mickaël, the ninth generation, Éric has committed the estate to a pioneering approach of certified organic farming and Haute Valeur Environnementale certification, while developing a highly sophisticated art of multi-vintage blending.

The vineyard

The Pinot Noir grapes for this cuvée come exclusively from plots in the Ambonnay Grand Cru, on gentle slopes at the edge of the forest, with a predominantly southern exposure. The soils, a mix of chalk, clay and limestone, ensure effective drainage and a release of heat that favours the ripening of the grape variety. This Champagne vineyard is farmed according to organic principles, with respect for soil life and biodiversity.

This non-vintage cuvée is based on a blend generally made up of five to six different vintages, combining the richness of some of the sunnier years with the freshness of more temperate ones. This multi-vintage approach, inherited from Éric Rodez's experience at Krug, aims to build a stable, complex style that remains true to the identity of the estate.

Vinification and ageing

Between 90 and 95% of the Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru is vinified in small, used oak barrels, in order to bring depth and texture without masking the fruit. Around 80% of the wines in the blend have not undergone malolactic fermentation, thus preserving a vibrant acidity and a structuring freshness that balance the power of the Pinot Noir.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir, sourced exclusively from the Ambonnay Grand Cru.