The Madame Lucy MCC forms part of our Projects Range. Named for the winery’s beloved French Poodle, Lucy, it started as a passion project; it is now in its ninth vintage and has evolved into a serious MCC, to be esteemed in its own right!

ABOUT 

Our cheeky little bubbly, Madame Lucy, is perfectly groomed and made according to the traditional Methode Cap Classique with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, second ferment in bottle, and nine months minimum on the lees. The grapes were whole bunch pressed. After fermentation, the wine was left on the lees for about six months, after which the different components were blended and then bottled in May 2021. Second fermentation took place under crown cap, and the wine was left in bottle for a further 22 months before disgorgement (zero dosage) took place at end of March 2023.

VINEYARD NOTES 

The 2021 harvest stood out for consistent cooler weather throughout the growing and ripening period, leading to slower ripening and increased flavour development. This wine was made with a careful selection of grapes; 53% Chardonnay from Elgin, 30 % Chardonnay from Ceres and 17% Pinot noir from Gabriëlskloof vineyards. 

WINEMAKING 

The grapes were whole bunch pressed. After fermentation, the wine was left on the lees for about six months, after which the different components were blended and then bottled in May 2021. Second fermentation took place under crown cap, and the wine was left in bottle for a further 22 months before disgorgement (zero dosage) took place at end of March 2023. 

TASTING NOTE 

A racy, almost crunchy vintage balancing the tartness of lemongrass, Chinese pear and quince with more developed notes of bruised Golden delicious apple and brioche. There’s a beeswaxy texture to the palate that coats the mouth and a gentle, integrated mousse reminiscent of grower Champagne. 

TECHNICAL 

Alc 11% | RS 3.9 | TA: 7.1 | pH 3.2

About Gabrielskloof 's Winery:

Gabriëlskloof is the realisation of a dream for South African Bernhard Heyns, who searched for several years to find the unique piece of land that, in his words, would “root him to the spot”. In 2001 he found what was then a canola farm named ‘Avontuur’ and the penny dropped. It was soon obvious that the site had the potential to make high-quality wines with a distinctive character, and so it has proved. Gabrielskloof has been owned and run by the Heyns family ever since. That family has since grown to include members of the local community, several of whom have risen through the ranks to senior positions at the farm.

 Engaging with and being a part of uplifting our local community is the driving force behind our employment approach and the farm has both been part of and initiated several local upliftment programs in the vicinity. The arrival of Peter-Allan Finlayson as cellar master in 2014 has ushered in a new and exciting era for the farm, notably with the Landscape Series and Projects Range, wines from which have routinely featured in critic’s choice awards in recent years.