From Europe, the visiting winemakers are Laurence Faller of the prestigious Domaine Weinabach in Alsace, and Elena Walch from Alto Adige in northern Italy. Californians include Laurie Hook of Beringer, Signe Zoller of Meridian and Margo Van Staaveren of Chateau St. Jean. And from Niagara, Ann Sperling of Malivoire and Deborah Paskus of 13th Street, are two of Canada's most accomplished winemakers of either gender. Wine Access has previewed the rather diverse, eclectic and often expensive array of wines and presents full reviews in the next edition of its First in Line E-Report. One barrel of wine can work more miracles than a church full of saints, Italian proverb.
Size does matter when conscientous effort is applied to volume.
Fragrant new oak helps here with lovely roasted, mocha, lime, chive notes atop ripe blackberry fruit. Dense yet sleek and stylish on the palate with a sour-ish, tannic but tasty finish. Best 2002 to 2008. A delicious second vintage from Malivoire, and the first made by Ann Sperling in the nifty, new gravity fed winery. The palate is creamy, even and spry, with fine fresh acidity on the finish.