Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/142283
THE MESSAgE Quest for Quality: Franco Bernabei C elebrated Italian enologist and wine consultant Franco Bernabei has dedicated his life to creating great wine. Many enologists leave a mark on the wines they shape, a thumbprint so to speak, and their wines are instantly identifiable. Not so with Bernabei. He has no desire to put his signature on his work; he is driven purely to create quality and distinction. Marcus Notaro, former winemaker for Col Solare, is now winemaker for Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Taking a Stag's Leap of Faith M arcus Notaro is the new winemaker for iconic Napa Valley estate Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. He was most recently the winemaker for Col Solare, the Washington State property devoted to producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. A Ste. Michelle–Antinori joint venture, Col Solare is a stylistic marriage between the two winemaking cultures with the goal of showcasing the varietal as it is expressed in Washington State and the Red Mountain AVA, in particular. Since 2003, Notaro has been honing a style of Cabernet Sauvignon that unites Old World and New World traditions and innovations. In this process he has worked directly with Renzo Cotarella, Chief Enologist for Marchesi Antinori, to co-develop the Col Solare signature style. This close relationship is one of trust and respect and will continue with Notaro's new role. "I am excited and honored to assume responsibility for creating wines from this historic property," Notaro says. "The style of wine that I have been producing at Col Solare is in line with the tradition at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. It favors balance and complexity, richness and elegance and captures the unique characteristics of the vineyard." THE TASTING PANEL'S Elizabeth Kate with Italian enologist Franco Bernabei. Bernabei was the mastermind behind releasing the lowly Verdicchio wine from its green, fish-shaped bottle and upgrading its quality level dramatically. Modern Verdicchio is a crisp, bright, citrusy wine recommended internationally by sommeliers as a perfect accompaniment to seafood. Currently Franco Bernabei is working with various Italian producers distributed by Empson USA and continues to create wines of outstanding quality at all price ranges. —Elizabeth Kate 18 / the tasting panel / july 2013 TP0713_001-33.indd 18 6/24/13 5:33 PM