Vintage Cap Classique | 100% Chardonnay | 95 Points – Tim Atkin MW
Overview
The Le Lude Madàme Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Millésime 2016 is one of Le Lude’s prestige Cap Classiques and a serious expression of just how far South African traditional-method sparkling wine has come. Produced exclusively from 100% Chardonnay from the 2016 vintage, Madàme is made only from the finest first pressing and undergoes exceptionally long maturation before release.
Fruit is sourced from selected vineyards in Franschhoek and Robertson, with each component handled separately to preserve its individual terroir. Only the delicate first juice from pressing is selected for Madàme, with fermentation taking place predominantly in stainless steel alongside a small proportion in seasoned French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately prevented, retaining the striking acidity and linear structure required for extended bottle ageing.
The defining feature, however, is time. The wine undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle followed by extraordinarily long lees maturation – the current technical information lists 90 months sur latte, with Le Lude describing Madàme as spending a minimum of around nine years undisturbed in its underground cellars depending on release timing.
The result is an exceptionally refined Blanc de Blancs balancing youthful citrus and mineral freshness with the almond, brioche and textural complexity created by extended lees ageing.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright pale gold with an exceptionally fine, persistent mousse.
Nose: Precise and elegant, opening with fresh nartjie and lemon, followed by delicate white fruit and citrus blossom. Extended lees ageing introduces sophisticated notes of almond and subtle brioche, adding depth without overwhelming the purity of the Chardonnay.
Palate: Elegant and light on entry, with vibrant citrus fruit and tightly focused acidity. The palate gradually builds in richness and texture, revealing almond, delicate pastry and mineral nuances alongside an exceptionally fine mousse.
Finish: Long, intense and beautifully precise, with persistent citrus freshness, fine minerality and subtle lees-derived complexity.
Awards & Accolades
The 2016 Madàme has received outstanding critical recognition, making its accolades well worth highlighting on the product page:
95 Points – Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Special Report 2025
Tim Atkin's 95-point rating marked the second consecutive year that a Madàme release achieved 95 points.
Technical Details
Producer: Le Lude
Cuvée: Madàme
Vintage: 2016
Classification: Blanc de Blancs
Style: Brut Nature Vintage Cap Classique
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Fruit Origin: Franschhoek & Robertson, Western Cape
Harvesting: Hand harvested
Pressing: Gentle pressing; only first juice selected
Primary Fermentation: Predominantly stainless steel with a small component in 3rd- and 4th-fill French oak
Malolactic Fermentation: Prevented
Secondary Fermentation: In bottle
Lees Maturation: 90 months listed for this release
Alcohol: 11.69% ABV
Residual Sugar: 2.6 g/L
Total Acidity: 9.29 g/L
pH: 3.03
Bottle Size: 750ml
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:
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.
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