No.23 The House of J.C. Le Roux - Stellenbosch

Sophisticated fun summed up my visit to wine farm number 23 - JC Le Roux in Stellenbosch. #DoStelliesI have rated this wine farm experience 4.5 star.Modern, clean, professional and upbeat.

OVERALL RATING	WINE	SERVICE	FOOD	LOCATION
83%	77%	96%	82%	76%

CHILD FRIENDLY? No, rather leave the kids at home. This venue is perfect for sophisticated groups of friends or older families.Recommended for groups of 4-8 people.ACTIVITIES and OTHER AMENITIES: 

• Wine tasting room
• MCC tasting
• MCC and Olive pairing
• Nougat pairing
• MCC private lounge
• Restaurant
• MCC Production self walk cellar tour

For more information, view the tasting menu here: jc-le-roux-tasting-menu-optionsBOOKING:Booking is essential in order to get a table.Click here to view contact details.

THE TASTING ROOM

tel:021 865 8200email:info@jcleroux.co.zaTo make your booking use the widget to the right

TASTING PRICELIST

Nougat Pairing      R100.00Deluxe Pairing      R100.00Olive Pairing         R100.00Mixed Tasting       R60.00MCC Tasting         R70.00MCC Experience    R130.00Follow this link for the tasting menu: jc-le-roux-tasting-menu-optionsFollow this link for the price list: jc-le-roux-price-list-2016

LE VENUE RESTAURANT

tel:021 865 8222email:levenue@hsvhospitality.com

WHEN TO GO:

You can go in the Summer or winter months. I did not spot a fire place so this venue is probably best in the summer months.

LOCATION:

Situated about a 40 minute drive from Cape Town.

Take the N1, the R300 or the Stellenbosch turn off and then the Stellenbosch Arterial road.Google Map

OTHER RATINGS: 

View other ratings on Trip Advisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Attraction_Review-g312673-d2458179-Reviews-House_of_J_C_Le_Roux-Stellenbosch_Western_Cape.htmlClick HERE to view the ranking of this farm against others I have already reviewed. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit Stellenbosch wine routes for more information on Wine farms in Stellenbosch.

http://www.wineroute.co.za/For more information on JC Le Roux, view the contact details by clicking here. 

Here is my experience:

It is not called the House of J.C. Le Roux for nothing, just look at this modern building.The House of J.C. Le Roux cellar is the country's leading sparkling wine producer and is recognised for its craftsmanship and expertise to make the finest Méthode Cap Classiques.The premier vintage Cap Classiques are created in the state-of-the-art cellar in the time-honoured French method of secondary bottle fermentation, known as Méthode Champenoise.The views looking out from the building are gorgeous and there is plenty of parking.This is the reception area (be sure to book!) and the wine shop. J.C. Le Roux have just launched their Christmas campaign with special packaging. You can see the advert in this photo.This is the open tasting room which can seat up to 120 people. There are smaller private tasting rooms to the right which can be booked for events such as birthdays.If you are a really large group, you can book out the auditorium. Each tasting is special and a dedicated J.C. Le Roux representative will explain all of the MCCs to you.They pour all the MCCs first and then allow you some private time to enjoy the tasting.This is inside the self guided cellar tour. It not only explains the difference between sparkling wines vs MCC and you can also see the production in progress through the cellar window. It is best to go on a weekday when you can witness the production taking place.Did you know that JC Le Roux produces 17000 bottles of MCC and sparkling wine an hour! At any given time there are 2 million bottles in production! This is the private tasting lounge which was wonderful. This was my favourite of the day.The J.C. Le Roux Scintilla Vintage Reserve MCC which is also the flagship MCC of the JC Le Roux family.It was served ice cold, was nice and dry, and the bubbles were delightful.70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir. The 2011 vintage spent 4.5 years on the lees and has newer packaging. This one was the 2009 vintage which had 5-8 years on the lees.The 2011 vintage will benefit from additional bottle maturation as that year was apparently a perfect year for making white wines with longevity and ageing potential.This MCC has a beautiful balance between fresh citrus notes from the Chardonnay and mouth feel from the Pinot Noir.I just had to buy a bottle for my collection at home. Note the embossing on the bottle itself, it is really a classy looking MCC.R210 a bottle for the 2009 vintage.This is the upstairs area by the restaurant where we enjoyed an olive and MCC pairing as well as some platters.Have you ever tried an MCC and olive pairing? What a treat this was for R100. Each pairing was a taste explosion!I don't want to give too much away because it's better when you don't know what is next 👌 some of these MCCs have been bottle fermented for as long as 8 years.But if you would like to know more about the tasting, you can view it here: jc-le-roux-olive-and-mcc-pairing-tasting-notesYou may notice the new packaging (colours and fonts). I really like it.I love Pinot Noir so I really was surprised to see that it looked golden in colour. This MCC has had next to no skin contact so you will get a beautiful golden colour.It has an off-dry taste with creamy character and hints of toast and nuts.It was left to mature on the lees for a minimum of 24 months and the sediment was removed by the traditional French method of remuage and degorgement.R110 a bottle.The JC Le Roux La Vallée Rosé Demi-Sec is one of their best sellers and a South African favourite.After secondary fermentation in the bottle, the wine is left to mature on the lees for 12 months to develop complexity and character.It is an off-dry Rosé and is made from 100% Pinot Noir. Powerful berry flavours with just the right touch of sweetness to make it easy drinking.R90 a bottle.Do you like pink? This elegant Rosé from JC Le Roux pleases the mind as much as the eye. It has quite a dark pink colour which radiates tangerine in the light.Now I really can’t smell MCC for the life of me, they all smell the same but you should be smelling subtle notes of biscuit, nuts and yellow raisins.I can comment on the taste though, think red berries like raspberries and strawberries. It looks too sweet to bare but it has a really good acidity which is not too sweet. R145 a bottle.I could definitely smell and taste pears and litchi with this La Vallée below. It was not too sweet and not too dry.12 months on the lees, alcohol 12.1% and sugar 35 g/l. R85 a bottle.This one below for me has always been an all time favourite. It has won an International Wine Challenge 2012 - Silver Medaland a Decanter World Wine Awards 2012 - Commended. A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, 12 months on the lees.It is marvelously dry and yeasty. A crisp, refreshing taste from the Pinot Noir and the full mouth feel of the Chardonnay.Only R85 a bottle.I am definitely not good with food photography but these platters can be ordered from the restaurant and are lovely. I would recommend that you do a tasting, and then spend the day on the balcony with some MCC on ice and a platter. Exceptional value for money. I have been a few times to J.C. Le Roux and every time, the service is top notch. on a hot day, it is great to hear the sounds of the fountains as you leave. So refreshing! Be sure to take lots of photos ;)