Two of De Wetshof classic Chardonnays both notched up scores of 93pts in the April edition of the Wine Spectator Insider. Renowned judge James Molesworth bestowed these points on the De Wetshof Finesse 2017 (Lesca, in the USA) as well as for the Estate’s flagship Bateleur Chardonnay 2016.

Of the Finesse 2017 Molesworth wrote: “Very enticing, with creamy green and yellow apple, pear and melon flavors laced with verbena and honeysuckle notes, kissed elegantly by a sweetened butter hint through the finish. This is why people love Chardonnay.”

And the Bateleur 2016:  “This is liberally framed with brioche and warm butter notes, but the mix of yellow apple, green melon and fig flavors is lively enough to absorb them easily, while a lovely flash of verbena adds cut and length on the finish.”

De Wetshof CEO Johann de Wet says that Wine Spectator scores well above 90pts definitely help to raise the profile of a wine in America, which is currently the world’s most valuable wine market.

CEO of De Wetshof – Johann de Wet

“Being the most important wine market in the world, every wine-producing country is clamouring for American shelf-space,” says De Wet, who regularly visits the country and where De Wetshof’s Chardonnay have a keen following among established and new wine consumers.

“Vehicles for informed critical ratings, such as the Wine Spectator, play a major role in promoting wines judged to be of superiour quality, and De Wetshof is elated by these high ratings for our Chardonnays,” he says. “This recognition is not only a positive reflection of what we are doing in making site-specific wines, but also helps raise the profile of South African Chardonnays, which are to my mind currently of the highest standard they have ever been.”

De Wet says it is pleasing to see two of De Wetshof’s classic wooded wines being recognised at such a high level.

“The Finesse and the Bateleur are two of the oldest wines in our range, still made to the classic styles from vineyards planted in terroir required to give each of the two Chardonnays an individual personality,” he says. “It is very rewarding to see wines you have been making in the same way, from the same vineyards for over two decades still worthy of attaining this sort of recognition.”