Marianne
Normally, I find myself shying away from tasting solely The Red Wine. In this case, the only alternative would have been The Sauvignon Blanc. I was more than satisfied with just The Red Wine.
RED:
- Marianne Cape Blend (2009): 34% Pinotage, 36% Merlot & Cab, 14% Shiraz. Meaty red wine vinegar, spice & caramel, full, creamy, soft, cardamom, marshmallows, warms down the throat, fennel seed, silky. (**)
- Marianne Cabernet Sauvignon (2009): Biltong with baconiness, white pepper lurking, tanniny, dark plums, smokey, like nibbling a cigar. 40% new French oak for 16 months
- Marianne Merlot (2009): Plum jam, honeyed marzipan, tanniny, full, soupy texture, rich, lurking nutmeg & turmeric, mouth watering, savouriness, salty bean soup.
- Marianne Shiraz (2009): Only wine at the tasting that has been released. Violet, Jaffa cakes, fresh but full, lemon curdy, structured, smokey pepper lurking at the end, peas & beans cooked in red wine gravy, rich but spicy, balsamic mushrooms, light gazpacho, beef stew with unthickened tomato gravy, mouth watering, savoury blue bells.
- Marianne Floreal (2009): 40% Cab, 40% Merlot, 20% Shiraz. Honeysuckle, blueberry jam, honey, soft, lightly whisked cream – thick but drinkable, buttery but structured, I’d like to float in it, runny buttered caramel with spice. (***)
Musings
on Marianne:
- Sauvignon Blanc is the only white
- Owner of the farm lives in France & wine from each barrel for the Floreal is sent to him & he blends the wine
- Wines from the hot Stellenbosch area usually have 15 – 15,5% alcohol
- Francois Haasbroek from Waterford is the new winemaker
- Marianne is a French symbol of equality & liberty
- Marianne is featured on the front cover of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida album cover
- Floreal is the 5th month on the republican calendar
- Approximately R100 for an 8 vintage tasting at the farm
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