Rodez/Eric Brut Champagne Cuvée des Crayères Grand Cru NV

93 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "With its notes of almonds, white flowers, ripe pear and quince fruit, this non-vintage Ambonnay blend is silky and rich, dense but not heavy. Rodez explains: ‘It's about Ambonnay; there is nothing to do with the lieu-dit.’ It is a blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir. The youngest wine is from the 2017 vintage, but the blend of over 15 base wines is almost 70% reserve wines from five or six vintages, the vast majority fermented in barrel. The wine is three years on the lees and disgorged with a dosage of 6g/L. Drinking Window: 2023-2030. (Apr 2023)"

92 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(tasted in 2023 in France; 40% chardonnay, 60% pinot noir; 20% 2019, 22% 2018, 29% 2017, 29% older reserves; 86% vinified in barrels, 15% in vats; 30% malolactic fermentation; 2.5g/L dosage; 8000 bottles). Eric Rodez captures the personality of Ambonnay from his very first cuvée, in depth, complexity and structure, and especially so in 2019. There is grand confidence, concentration and presence here, the warmth of the vintage in Ambonnay projected in strawberries, apples and figs. It’s backed with layers of spice and even fruit mince spice. The fine chalk minerality of the village unites with nicely poised acidity to carry a long finish of impressive presence and intensity. Pinot noir takes a confident lead, bathed in red fruits and spice. (Edition VII; 2024)"

92 points Anne Krebiehl, MW (Vinous): "The NV Extra Brut Cuvée des Crayères is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, partially vinified in oak, with between 40-50% of reserve wines in the blend. Distant creaminess on the nose suggests gentleness. More air admits a sense of soy savoriness and underlines the Pinot dominance of the wine. The palate is all smooth elegance, defined by that chunk of reserve wines; all swirled around by vivid mousse that soon turns into creaminess. An upright spine of freshness adds to the existing Pinot poise. Structured and elegant. Lot 04/2023. Drink: 2023-2030. (Nov 2023)"

Richard Juhlin: "The Rodez family have been growers for more than a hundred years in Ambonnay. Eric has 8 hectares at his disposal in his home village. They have been planted with 55% Pinot Noir and the proportion of Chardonnay is continually increasing. The wines are made partly using oak barrels and the tendency is more and more towards ecological production."