Marimar Estate Tempranillo

WHY WE LOVE IT

• Tempranillo is recognized as the finest red variety indigenous to Spain. Marimar Estate has spent a decade experimenting with this varietal in their vineyard and are thrilled with the results.
• The Don Miguel Vineyard is located in the Green Valley — the coolest, foggiest region of the Russian River Valley, only ten miles from the Pacific. This site is proving ideal for Tempranillo to thrive, just like it does in the cool areas of Ribera del Duero and High Rioja of Northern Spain.
• The Don Miguel Vineyard, named after the late patriarch of the Torres family, is sustainable.

Varietal Composition: 100% Tempranillo

Elaboration: The vines are planted in ‘vaso’ or head trained, which is the classic vine training system of the best Tempranillo’s grown in Spain. The fruit zone is circular around the head of the vine and the canopy creates an ‘umbrella’ shape over the fruit that results in dappled light. The grapes were harvested in October, hand sorted, destemmed, and fermented in small stainless steel tanks, using our own indigenous yeast. The wine was aged in premium French oak barrels, 32% new, coopered by Magreñán from the forest of Vosges and Marchive from Bertranges. After 18 months in the barrels to soften the tannins, it was bottled, unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting Notes: Classic aromas of the variety like black cherry and figs, beautifully integrated with the notes of baking spices, fennel and hints of tobacco contributed by the elegant oak. The palate is rich and round, with soft and chewy tannins that promise a very long life — 15 to 20 years at least.

PRESS

2018 – 92 James Suckling | 91 Wine Enthusiast | 90 Jeb Dunnuck

PRODUCER BACKGROUND

Marimar Torres grew up in the wine business. Her family’s wine-growing roots date back to the 17th century in the Catalonia region of Spain. Born in 1945 in Barcelona, she was the export director for Torres Wines. After moving to California in 1975, she found the perfect property to start a winery of her own in Sonoma County.

At Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery, she manages the winery and two vineyards – Don Miguel (named after her late father) in the Russian River Valley AVA and Doña Margarita (named after her late mother) in the Sonoma Coast AVA.

Marimar is fluent in six languages and holds degrees from the University of Barcelona and Stanford University. She also studied Enology & Viticulture at the University of California at Davis. She has written several books on wine and Spanish cuisine. Her daughter, Christina, is the estate’s general manager and represents the fifth generation of the Torres family in the wine business. Her extensive education includes degrees from Princeton and an MBA from the Wharton School as well as wine industry certifications. She gained valuable work experience both in Europe and the U.S.