Eight years of patience. One exceptional vintage. A masterpiece of South African Cap Classique.
Le Lude Madáme Millésimé 2017 is an extraordinary expression of South African sparkling wine craftsmanship, showcasing the remarkable elegance, precision and ageing potential of Chardonnay.
Produced by the prestigious Le Lude Estate in Franschhoek, this exceptional vintage Cap Classique represents the pinnacle of the estate's dedication to traditional-method sparkling wine production.
Crafted exclusively from 100% Chardonnay, the 2017 vintage has spent an astonishing 104 months ageing on the lees in Le Lude's underground cellars. This extended maturation, equivalent to more than eight and a half years, has allowed the wine to develop exceptional complexity, texture and depth while preserving its vibrant natural freshness.
Only the finest free run juice is selected, following meticulous hand harvesting and gentle pressing. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel, with malolactic fermentation deliberately prevented to retain the Chardonnay's remarkable purity, crisp acidity and precise mineral character.
The result is a beautifully refined Blanc de Blancs, displaying delicate citrus aromas, crisp green apple, quince and subtle pistachio notes. The palate is elegant and wonderfully textured, revealing layers of lime, green melon and pistachio biscotti, supported by a delicate mousse and striking mineral freshness.
Despite its extended maturation, the wine retains remarkable vitality, demonstrating the extraordinary ageing potential of South Africa's finest Cap Classiques.
An Award-Winning Vintage
The Le Lude Madáme Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Millésimé 2017 received an outstanding 97 points from Tim Atkin MW in his South Africa Special Report 2026.
In an extraordinary achievement, it was also named Overall Sparkling Wine of the Year 2026, a prestigious recognition that places this exceptional Cap Classique among South Africa's finest sparkling wines.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Delicate pale lemon-yellow with a fine, elegant and persistent mousse.
Nose: Fresh and expressive aromas of lime curd, crisp Granny Smith apple, quince and delicate white flowers, complemented by subtle notes of raw pistachio.
Palate: Beautifully poised and precise, displaying vibrant flavours of fresh lime, green apple and green melon. Extended lees maturation contributes delicate notes of pistachio biscotti and a refined, elegant texture.
Finish: Long, crisp and wonderfully refreshing, with bright citrus acidity, clean white-pebble minerality and a delicate saline character.
Food Pairing
The remarkable precision and freshness of this Blanc de Blancs make it an exceptional companion to fresh oysters, scallops, sashimi and delicate seafood dishes.
Its subtle nutty complexity also pairs beautifully with aged Comté, Gruyère soufflé and refined poultry dishes.
Serve chilled at approximately 8–10°C, allowing the wine to open gradually in the glass to reveal its full aromatic complexity.
Product Details
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Producer: Le Lude Estate
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Wine: Madáme Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Millésimé
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Vintage: 2017
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Origin: Franschhoek and Robertson, Western Cape, South Africa
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Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
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Style: Vintage Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Cap Classique
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Lees Ageing: 104 months
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Disgorgement Date: 16 April 2026
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Residual Sugar: 1.8g/L
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Alcohol: 11.5% ABV
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Bottle Size: 750ml
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Accolades: 97 Points – Tim Atkin MW (2026)
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Award: Overall Sparkling Wine of the Year – Tim Atkin South Africa Special Report 2026
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
Please note, you will be required to sign upon delivery, and the drivers may request a form of identification.
If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations:
If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
- Email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za to notify us of your intent to return the product. We will then guide you through the process.
- Our returns policy is valid for 7 working days from the date of delivery. Unfortunately, if 7 working days have passed since the delivery of your purchase, we cannot offer a refund or exchange.
- To be eligible for a return, the item must be unused and in the same condition as when you received it. It must also be in its original packaging. A 10% Fee will be charged on returns, unless the product was damaged or incorrectly supplied by Mothercity Liquor.
Return Shipping & Delivery Fees
Please note that original shipping or delivery fees are non-refundable. Where a refund is approved, the refund will apply to the eligible returned product(s) only and will exclude any shipping or delivery charges paid on the original order.
Unless the return is due to an incorrect, damaged, or defective product supplied by Mothercity Liquor, the cost of returning the product(s) to us is the responsibility of the customer. Customers are responsible for arranging and paying for return shipping and for ensuring that the products are securely packaged to prevent damage in transit.
We strongly recommend using a trackable and insured courier service when returning products. Mothercity Liquor cannot be held responsible for returned goods that are lost or damaged while in transit to us.
Where Mothercity Liquor supplied an incorrect, damaged, or defective product, we will arrange or cover the reasonable cost of returning the affected product, subject to the terms of our Returns Policy.
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.
Subscription Terms & Conditions:
- By purchasing a Subscription, you agree to recurring automatic payments based on your selected delivery frequency (monthly, every 2 months or every 3 months etc).
- Your subscription will automatically renew and your payment method will be charged on the same calendar day as your original purchase until your subscription is cancelled.
- Minimum Commitment: Subscription pricing includes a discounted rate and therefore requires a minimum commitment of two (2) deliveries. Cancellation requests will only be accepted after your second subscription box has been successfully delivered.
- Cancellation requests must be submitted before your next billing date. If your payment has already been processed, that month's subscription will still be fulfilled and dispatched.
- Subscription payments are non-refundable once they have been successfully processed, except where required by applicable South African consumer protection laws.
- In the event that a product becomes unavailable, Mothercity Liquor reserves the right to substitute it with a product of equal or greater value.
- Customers must be 18 years or older to purchase or receive alcoholic products.