Some Malvasia delle Lipari can be rather unexceptional. However Hauner Carlo developed a reputation for making a wine of high quality. This wine comes from Sicily(Salina), isle of Lipari. According to Hugh Johnson, annual production of Malvasia delle Lipari is only about 4400 cases.
The wine had been properly stored. The color is deep gold with a hint of copper. To my surprise, there was a deposit of sparkling tartrate crystals on the cork, unusual for such a southern wine, but a good sign. Although this is a sweet wine, it is not at all heavy and there is plenty of acid to balance the sweetness. It is not a raisin dominated wine either, as sometimes happens for sweet southern wines. The taste is still rather fresh with hints of figs and caramel. There is a melon-like character also. This is a very good dessert wine, and was reasonable in price when I bought it many years ago.
If you wanted to serve this wine with food, you would not want anything extremely sweet, as it could overpower the wine. I happened to have some Biscuits Rose de Reims which some like to dunk in wine. I must say the wine improved this not-too-sweet dry cookie, but the cookie did nothing to improve the wine.
I have not seen wine from Hauner Carlo in many years. I seem to recall reading that he passed away several years ago, but I am not certain. I would be interesting in hearing about the status of Hauner Carlo wines.