[ed. - After tasting the 1983 Renaissance Cabernet Sauvignon on February 19th, I had serious doubts about Karl Werner's competence as a winemaker, especially for red wines. (After all, look at what happened to Callaway's red wine program that Karl created.) The wine appears to have spent about two years too long in new German oak barrels.
Tasting the wine a second time, I was convinced the Fellowship could do better. With all the great winemakers available – who would jump at the opportunity to produce the Fellowship's wines – it seems criminal to continue the present style.
I called Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville to ask about Karl's tenure there and learn to what degree he was involved in producing Mondavi’s 1970, 71 and 72 vintages.
Mr. Mondavi returned my call and we spoke briefly. He recalled Karl and said that Karl was brought in because of his expertise with white wines. He said Karl was strong-willed and had definite ideas of how things must be done, which he did not always agree with. He said Karl opposed his idea to leave the reds on the skins for a couple of weeks to gain more extraction. Karl asserted this would ruin the wine. (It later became common practice industry-wide.)
Since those days, Mondavi’s style has changed focus to a lighter, more concentrated wine, as he doesn’t care for “blockbuster” wines. (I mentioned the Renaissance ’83 Cabernet Sauvignon being more tannic than a Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, which surprised him.) He was also amazed that Renaissance has yet to market a wine.
Being very diplomatic, Mr. Mondavi suggested that Karl was making his statement with his wines and the only question is whether he can gain the audience he needs.]
