In an article focusing on 2008 vintages already available in store in the USA, the publication's wine writers Dorothy J Gaiter and John Brecher singled out the Raats Family Original Chenin Blanc 2008 and the Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2008 from a selection of young wines from Southern Hemisphere vineyards including those in Chile and New Zealand.
Both the Raats and Mulderbosch wines are imported into the USA by Cape Classics. Andre Shearer, the company's South African-born CEO, said Cape Classics is delighted that South African wines have received such praise in the world's leading business journal, which has a circulation of over 2.7 million including political leaders, senior business people and leading investors.
“Given the current market uncertainties and financial pressures everyone is under, we remain optimistic about our business and very excited about the value that South African wines offer across all price points. We are beginning to see slight downward shifts in buying patterns, with consumers not wanting to spend a lot of money, but still wanting to drink delicious wines,” Shearer said.
“With accolades from influential publications like the Wall Street Journal, we become better positioned to capture those consumers, and get them to associate our category and brands with the outstanding value-for-money ratio we know we offer.”
The Wall Street Journal's Gaiter and Brecher said the Raats wine, which sells for $12 a bottle, was their favourite. “We expect these very young wines to be fresh, fruity and fun and this one was - but was much more. It had bold, confident, earthy-melon tastes and leaping acidity that made it great with food. This is wine of surprising character, with kiwi, mango, papaya and more complexity than we'd expect from a newborn.”
The Mulderbosch Rosé, which sells for $10 a bottle, was recognised for its consistent quality and value. “This is almost criminally inexpensive for such an utterly charming wine that takes you right into a field of strawberries on a beautiful, clear day. We enjoy this every year and this is no exception,” they said.
Cape Classics is ostensibly the largest importer of South African wine into the USA and represents 18 premium labels including Kanonkop, Thelema and Buitenverwachting. The company supplies restaurants and retail outlets in 49 states across the USA and is experiencing its best ever year.
