Champagne Éric Rodez – Ambonnay grower Champagne at Alfavin

Éric Rodez is a family-run grower-producer based in Ambonnay (Montagne de Reims). After formative years in Burgundy and at Krug, Éric established the Rodez name among connoisseurs and in haute cuisine. At Alfavin you can discover and buy Éric Rodez Champagne, known for terroir-driven, technically precise wines with strong Pinot Noir expression.

Overview / Key facts

• Location: Ambonnay (Grand Cru), Montagne de Reims
• Vineyard area: approx. 9 hectares across ~16 parcels (all in Ambonnay)
• Varieties: ~62–65% Pinot Noir, ~35–38% Chardonnay
• Planting density: typically 8,000–10,000 vines/ha
• Vine age: predominantly 35–50 years, some parcels older

History

The Rodez family has worked the land for generations. Éric Rodez shaped the modern estate after several years as a cellar master at Krug in the 1970s–80s. His Krug experience influenced vinification and blending discipline. Éric now acts as consultant while day-to-day operations are managed by his son, Mickaël Rodez.

Vineyards & viticulture

All holdings are in Ambonnay on calcareous–marly soils that vary from strong chalk to more clayey marl by parcel. Ambonnay offers ideal conditions for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The estate follows long-standing organic/biodynamic practices (progressive conversion since the late 1980s / early 2000s), with emphasis on:

• cover crops and biodiversity
• no synthetic fertilisers or herbicides
• manual soil work and selective canopy/yield management
• rigorous hand-harvesting and bunch selection

Winemaking & cellar practice — technical points

• Parcel-by-parcel, variety-specific vinification; final assemblage only after sensory evaluation.
• Significant portion of base wines (typically 60–90%) matures in used oak barrels (often Burgundian); remainder in stainless steel.
• Minimal use of new barriques; barrels are generally those used for 1–3 previous vintages to keep oak influence discreet.
• Malolactic fermentation is generally not carried out to preserve freshness and acid structure; best cuvées avoid it altogether.
• Extended lees ageing on the bottle, depending on cuvée, from ~4 up to 10 years.
• Low dosage philosophy: many cuvées range from Extra Brut to Brut Nature.
• Use of multi-vintage reserve wines for complexity in certain blends.

Stylistic signature

Rodez Champagnes combine:

• intense Pinot Noir extract and ripe fruit (red berries; peach/stone fruit notes where Blanc de Blancs components appear),
• chalky, mineral backbone,
• vibrant, precise acidity,
• autolytic depth (brioche, hazelnut, honey) after prolonged bottle ageing,
• fine, often creamy mousse and substantial mouthfeel,
• light oxidative nuances from barrel ageing, without the wines appearing oxidised.

Overall, texture and precision predominate over primary fruit; the wines are structured, chalk-driven and long-living.

Representative cuvées

• Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Ambonnay – 100% Pinot Noir from old vines, extended ageing.
• Cuvée des Crayères – highlights the chalky texture; partial barrel maturation for structure.
• Cuvée des Grands Vintages – multi-vintage selection of top years; Krug-inspired compositional approach.
• Empreinte / Single-parcel selections – Les Beurys, Les Genettes etc.; limited production.

Cellaring & drinking window

Rodez wines are built for ageing: expect 8–15 years or more under proper cellaring conditions. They show concentration and structure when young; tertiary and autolytic complexities increase with time.

Positioning & relevance

Within Ambonnay and the Montagne de Reims, Éric Rodez is regarded as a technically accomplished, terroir-focused producer. The approach marries Burgundian barrel technique, Krug-inspired blending discipline and biodynamic vineyard care. For specialists: Rodez Champagnes deliver extract, a distinct mineral signature and pronounced ageing potential.

Discover and buy selected Éric Rodez cuvées at Alfavin — search terms to find them include “Éric Rodez Champagne”, “Ambonnay Blanc de Noirs” and “buy Rodez Champagne online”.

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