Champagne Eric Rodez, Empreinte Blanche 2014
Champagne Eric Rodez, Empreinte Blanche 2014

Champagne Eric Rodez, Empreinte Blanche 2014

£202.00

This wine is almost paradoxical — simultaneously rich and lean, aged and vivid. The palate's first impression is of immense breadth and density. Empreinte Blanche is the crown of the Rodez range, the finest interpretation of the Ambonnay terroir through the lens of a single varietal. A Champagne of museum-level ambition assembled from five of Ambonnay's greatest Chardonnay plots, vinified entirely in barrel without malolactic fermentation, followed by eleven years of lees ageing before release. The result is a wine that transcends the category it nominally belongs to: not a Blanc de Blancs in the conventional sense, not a prestige cuvée by commercial definition, but something rarer and more personal. The vineyards entering its composition are La Grande Ruelle, Les Champsaults, Le Noyer Saint Pys, Les Morins, Les Crayeres. The 2014 is one of the most compelling of the decade. A Champagne defined by its freshness and remarkable terroir expression.

A wine of this age and complexity needs room to breathe and temperature to open. Food pairing: white truffle, aged Comté or Beaufort, roasted langoustine, or simply — nothing at all.

This wine is almost paradoxical — simultaneously rich and lean, aged and vivid. The palate's first impression is of immense breadth and density. Empreinte Blanche is the crown of the Rodez range, the finest interpretation of the Ambonnay terroir through the lens of a single varietal. A Champagne of museum-level ambition assembled from five of Ambonnay's greatest Chardonnay plots, vinified entirely in barrel without malolactic fermentation, followed by eleven years of lees ageing before release. The result is a wine that transcends the category it nominally belongs to: not a Blanc de Blancs in the conventional sense, not a prestige cuvée by commercial definition, but something rarer and more personal. The vineyards entering its composition are La Grande Ruelle, Les Champsaults, Le Noyer Saint Pys, Les Morins, Les Crayeres. The 2014 is one of the most compelling of the decade. A Champagne defined by its freshness and remarkable terroir expression.

A wine of this age and complexity needs room to breathe and temperature to open. Food pairing: white truffle, aged Comté or Beaufort, roasted langoustine, or simply — nothing at all.

Ignoring trends since 1984, Eric tends his vineyards in organic and biodynamic viticulture, famously using aromatherapy on his 6 hectares in Ambonnay Grand Cru. While there is a myriad of rising stars in the region producing great Champagnes, Eric has been a pioneer in more ways than just using organic viticulture, he is an Iconic grower that inspired the new generation. The 2024 release marks a fresh start for Champagne Eric Rodez. Together with Eric we have identified a way to help all trade professionals, collectors, and consumers to better identify his “Vins d’Auteur” range year after year, The appearance of the Edition number on the label will offer better traceability and visibility in the market.

Bottling: Spring 2014 Release Date: 2025 Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay Plots: Les Genettes, Les Champsaults, Le Noyer Saint Pys, La Pierre aux Larrons, Les Crayères Vinification: 100% Oak Barrels Malolactic Fermentation: No Dosage: 1.5g/l