Winemaker Notes
Open and inviting, cheerful and pleasant, ‘O Sole Mio is a beautiful, organically-grown Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is soft and pretty with booming floral aromas of iris and lemon blossom. Flavors of gooseberry and elderflower guide this easy-drinking Sauvignon Blanc to a long and complex finish. Listen to great music while drinking this wine: ‘O Sole Mio will make you want to sing along.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The light gold-hued 2020 O Sole Mio Sauvignon Blanc Two Wolves Vineyard (100% Sauvignon) comes all from Santa Ynez and was brought up in a mix of stainless steel and 10% neutral oak. A wonderfully floral, tropical nose of pineapple, white currants, and white grapefruit gives way to a medium-bodied white with a rounded, elegant, seamless texture. I don't think the acidity is remarkably high, yet it stays vibrant and lively, with a clean, balanced style that's just a joy to drink. It should hold for 2-3 years, although there's no need to delay gratification.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Ranging from cool and foggy in the west to warm and dry in the east, the Santa Ynez Valley is a climatically diverse growing area. The most expansive AVA within the larger Santa Barbara County region, Santa Ynez is also home to a wide variety of soil types and geographical features. The appellation is further divided into four distinct sub-AVAs—Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon—each with its own defining characteristics.
A wide selection of grapes is planted here—more than sixty different varieties, and counting. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate in the chilly west, while Zinfandel, Rhône blends, and Bordeaux blends rule the arid east. Syrah is successful at both ends of the valley, with a lean and peppery, Old-World sensibility closer to the coast and lush berry fruit further inland.