A few weeks back in Napa, CA I had the opportunity to meet Marimar Torres. She is the “Winegrower” and Proprietor for her wine Marimar Estate. Her vineyard is in Russian River in Sonoma County. She comes from a family of Spanish winemakers. She also has a fully organic vineyard and I learned they hand pick all the grapes at the estate. She grows Chardonnay and Pinot Noir she said she has about 80 acres planted and she also has a horse stable and Equestrian center. I checked the place out on-line when I got home, AWESOME! I am planning on going up to her place closer to crush time and really get a closer look.

She has a rich family story of wine making and she has a wonderful accent, very positive energy and I just feel that anytime a successful winemaker takes the time to chat it up with a wanna be winemaker, I am always impressed. She started making wine in CA in the mid 1970’s and her pride of her terrior and land just beams from her.

I had the good fortune to try 3 of her wines, in one word elegant. I have to admit, Chardonnay had lost my attention many years ago when Chard was so over oaked and for me it was bitter and they really bothered my throat. I have tasted many since then were I could see being drawn back to the love of Chardonnay and the two Chardonnay’s I tried were totally different.

Acero Chardonnay is fermented in stainless steel and then goes through a second fermentation (malolactic fermentation) and this wine is pretty, you totally get the fruit and nothing else. This is a beautiful and to me a very womanly wine. Not that only girls will like it but it is very delicate and sexy.
Estate Chardonnay from Don Miguel vineyard is whole cluster pressed and french barrels after fermentation. It was a young, crisp and creamy wine with great structure and long finish and mouth feel like velvet.

Marimar Estate Pinot Noir, ok this is a steel fist in a velvet glove. Smooth and sensual and it tastes wealthy, if that makes sense. It tastes expensive and indulgent while being easy to drink and to break down the aromas, like cedar, spices, leather and blackberries (really ripe ones). I love Pinot, I am really drawn to Willamette Valley Pinot, but between Merry Edwards and Marimar Torres, I may only drink Russian River Pinot from this point on!