Quion Rock Black Series MCC

VITICULTURE

For our Black MCC series, we use Pinot Noir grapes from the Elgin region and Chardonnay from the Agulhas region. Elgin has a cool climate where the vines grow in sandstone soils laced with silica quartz fragments and acidic Bokkeveld shales rich in iron. The Chardonnay is grown on our Boskloof farm in Koffieklip and gravel soils where they are exposed to cool Atlantic air which ensures that the berries ripen evenly while retaining their natural acidity. For excellent characteristics in our wine, we harvest different sections of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blocks at different times. We harvest the grapes early in the morning in small lug boxes and use cooled trucks to transport the grapes to our cellar in Stellenbosch.

VINICULTURE

After we receive the grapes at the cellar they are gently pressed before the juice settles overnight for fermentation to start. We mostly ferment the juice in stainless steel tanks, but some of the juice is pumped into wooden barrels to add to the characteristics of the Black Series. We make small batches of wine to ensure that we deliver the best quality wines. These wines are then blended and aged on the lees, before being prepared for a secondary fermentation in bottles according to the Methode Cap Classique method.

MATURATION

For the 2017 Black Series MCC we aged the wine on the lees for five years before we disgorged it. After disgorgement, we kept the bottles in storage for another six months before we finally released this exceptional MCC.

NOTES OF WINEMAKER

Prominent notes of honeycomb, yellow fruit, and biscuit on the nose are followed by the rich and expressive flavours of toasted zesty marmalade, dried apple rings and hints of cooked quince. The delicate mousse and tiny, persistent bubbles complement a crisp, refreshing acidity that finishes on a nuanced palate.

FOOD PAIRING

The 2017 Black MCC goes perfectly with oysters, sushi or foie gras on toast. However, if you prefer, you can enjoy this MCC on its own to add sparkle to any occasion.

WINE INFORMATION

Cultivar/s | 54% Chardonnay | 46% Pinot Noir Vintage | 2017

Origin | Western Cape

Harvested | February 2017

Time on lees | 5 years

Bottled | 23 September 2022

WINE ANALYSIS

Alcohol: 12.91% | Residual Sugar: 8.7g/L | Total Acidity: 8.0g/L | pH: 3.05