The Marianne Desirade 2020 is a refined Bordeaux-style blend that reflects the estate’s French heritage, bringing together Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in a wine of structure, balance, and quiet power. Sourced from the slopes of Simonsberg-Paarl, it captures both New World fruit expression and Old World composure.
In the glass, the wine shows a deep ruby color, opening with aromas of blackberry, dried cranberry, and subtle liquorice, layered with hints of spice. On the palate, the wine is composed and well-defined, with Merlot contributing roundness and finesse, while Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and length. Layers of dark fruit and gentle anise notes carry through to a long, smooth finish, supported by fine, integrated tannins.
A confident and age-worthy blend, Desirade delivers both immediate elegance and the structure to evolve gracefully over time.
In the glass, the wine shows a deep ruby color, opening with aromas of blackberry, dried cranberry, and subtle liquorice, layered with hints of spice. On the palate, the wine is composed and well-defined, with Merlot contributing roundness and finesse, while Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and length. Layers of dark fruit and gentle anise notes carry through to a long, smooth finish, supported by fine, integrated tannins.
A confident and age-worthy blend, Desirade delivers both immediate elegance and the structure to evolve gracefully over time.
Each varietal component was vinified separately, beginning with cold maceration at approximately 10°C for around 10 days in large 70HL French oak foudres, allowing for optimal color and flavor extraction. During fermentation, the wine underwent daily pump-overs and gentle punch-downs to ensure balanced extraction of tannin, color, and aromatics, followed by extended maceration of approximately three weeks.
The wine was then matured for 16–22 months in French oak barrels, with a composition of 40% new oak and 60% older barrels, allowing for structure and complexity while preserving fruit purity. Only the most expressive barrels were selected for the final blend, ensuring harmony between varietal character, oak influence, and overall balance.
Winemaker: Guillaume Nel
The wine was then matured for 16–22 months in French oak barrels, with a composition of 40% new oak and 60% older barrels, allowing for structure and complexity while preserving fruit purity. Only the most expressive barrels were selected for the final blend, ensuring harmony between varietal character, oak influence, and overall balance.
Winemaker: Guillaume Nel
Est. 2004, the Marianne Estate is a 36-hectare boutique wine estate located on the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountain. The estate features 17 hectares of vineyards, Tasting Room & Cellars, Luxury Accommodation and the Floreal Brasserie.
Christian Dauriac, the proprietor of the Marianne Estate, has been making wine in Bordeaux for over 30 years. He currently owns three Chateaux in Bordeaux: Destieux (Grand Cru Classe of Saint-Emilion), Montlisse (Grand Cru) and La Clemence (Pomerol).
Christian regularly brings in specialists from France to lend expertise with the winemaking and viticulture.
Christian Dauriac, the proprietor of the Marianne Estate, has been making wine in Bordeaux for over 30 years. He currently owns three Chateaux in Bordeaux: Destieux (Grand Cru Classe of Saint-Emilion), Montlisse (Grand Cru) and La Clemence (Pomerol).
Christian regularly brings in specialists from France to lend expertise with the winemaking and viticulture.
