Current and Past Reviews
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2006 Ambullneo Vineyards Pinot Noir Bulldog Reserve
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RATING:
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(88-90) points
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PRODUCER:
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Ambullneo Vineyards 
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FROM:
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Santa Maria Valley , Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA,
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VARIETY:
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Pinot Noir
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DRINK:
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2007 - 2012
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ESTIMATED COST:
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$79
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SOURCE:
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WA, #172
Aug 2007
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Ambullneo’s 2006 Pinot Noir Bulldog Reserve was made from Dijon clones primarily from the Solomon Hills Vineyard combined with a small amount from Laetitia Vineyard. Thirty percent or more was whole clusters. Its dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by notions of spicy oak, plums, black cherries, pomegranates, and currants. This well-made, pure, rich 2006 does not quite measure up to the 2005, but it is an elegant, lighter-styled, pure, nicely textured Pinot to enjoy over the next 4-5 years. Tel. (805) 474-5678
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-Robert Parker
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2006 Ambullneo Vineyards Pinot Noir Rancho Ontiveros
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RATING:
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(92-94) points
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PRODUCER:
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Ambullneo Vineyards
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FROM:
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Santa Maria Valley , Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA,
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VARIETY:
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Pinot Noir
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DRINK:
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2007 - 2017
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ESTIMATED COST:
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$95
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SOURCE:
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WA, #172
Aug 2007
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Linn’s single vineyard offering, the 2006 Pinot Noir Rancho Ontiveros, is 100% whole cluster cuvee that represents a stunning expression of both the vintage and Pinot Noir. Its dark ruby/purple hue and big, sweet bouquet of black cherries, earth, forest floor, and spice are followed by a full-bodied wine with terrific concentration, a broad, savory mouthfeel, and beautiful sweetness and length. This beauty will drink well for a decade or more. Tel. (805) 474-5678
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-Robert Parker
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2006 Ambullneo Vineyards Pinot Noir Rim Rock
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RATING:
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(89-91) points
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PRODUCER:
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Ambullneo Vineyards
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FROM:
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Santa Maria Valley , Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA,
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VARIETY:
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Pinot Noir
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DRINK:
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2007 - 2014
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ESTIMATED COST:
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$95
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SOURCE:
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WA, #172
Aug 2007
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The 2006 Pinot Noir Rim Rock will please consumers looking for lower alcohols (13.5%) and modest pH’s (3.4). It reveals lovely sweet cherry and cranberry fruit intermixed with hints of forest floor and flowers. Medium-bodied with good acidity, moderately rich aromatics, and superb purity as well as length. It should turn out to be outstanding, and age nicely for 5-7 years. Tel. (805) 474-5678
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-Robert Parker
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2006 Ambullneo Vineyards Chardonnay Big Paw
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RATING:
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87 points
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PRODUCER:
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Ambullneo Vineyards
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FROM:
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Santa Maria Valley , Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA,
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VARIETY:
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Chardonnay
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DRINK:
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2012 -
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ESTIMATED COST:
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$59
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SOURCE:
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WA, #172
Aug 2007
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Displaying exotic notes of orange rind and white peaches, the 2006 Chardonnay Big Paw offers good minerality, crisp acidity, and a tart finish. While not one of his top Chardonnays, it is a light, zesty effort to consume over the next 4-5 years. Tel. (805) 474-5678
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-Robert Parker
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2006 Ambullneo Vineyards Chardonnay Fang Blanc
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RATING:
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88 points
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PRODUCER:
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Ambullneo Vineyards
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FROM:
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California, USA,
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VARIETY:
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Chardonnay
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DRINK:
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-
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ESTIMATED COST:
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$59
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SOURCE:
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WA, #172
Aug 2007
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Slightly bigger than the Big Paw, the 2006 Chardonnay Fang Blanc is made from a combination of stainless steel-fermented and aged as well as barrel-fermented fruit. Only small amounts of new oak are utilized. It offers up hints of pineapple, guava, and mango in its medium-bodied, crisp, zesty, fresh personality. Tel. (805) 474-5678
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-Robert Parker
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2006 Ambullneo Vineyards Chardonnay Solomon Hills
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RATING:
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93 points
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PRODUCER:
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Ambullneo Vineyards
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FROM:
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Santa Maria Valley , Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA,
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VARIETY:
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Chardonnay
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DRINK:
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2010 -
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ESTIMATED COST:
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$79
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SOURCE:
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WA, #172
Aug 2007
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Ambullneo’s debut single vintage white is the 2006 Chardonnay Solomon Hills, a 100-case cuvee that was put through full malolactic fermentation. Deep, full-bodied, and rich, with a Batard-Montrachet-like, honeysuckle, marmalade, lemon butter, and popcorn-scented style, this fat, fleshy Chardonnay possesses good acidity as well as a long, heady finish displaying loads of tropical fruit. Enjoy this striking effort over the next 2-3 years. Tel. (805) 474-5678
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-Robert Parker
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2006
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Ambullneo Vineyards Pinot Noir Bulldog Reserve
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(88-90)
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Early
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79
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2005
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Ambullneo Vineyards Pinot Noir Rancho Ontiveros
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93
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Early
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95
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2006
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Ambullneo Vineyards Pinot Noir Rancho Ontiveros
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(92-94)
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Early
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95
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2006
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Ambullneo Vineyards Pinot Noir Rim Rock
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(89-91)
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Early
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95
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2005
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Ambullneo Vineyards Pinot Noir Mastiff Cuvee
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92
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Early
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71-80
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2005
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Ambullneo Vineyards Chardonnay Fang Blanc
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92
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59
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2006
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Ambullneo Vineyards Chardonnay Fang Blanc
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88
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59
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2005
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Ambullneo Vineyards Chardonnay Big Paw
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91
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Young
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40-60
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2006
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Ambullneo Vineyards Chardonnay Big Paw
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87
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Young
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59
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2006
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Ambullneo Vineyards Chardonnay Solomon Hills
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93
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Young
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79
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2005
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Ambullneo Vineyards Pinot Noir Canis Major
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90
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Young
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90-100
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2005
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Ambullneo Vineyards Pinot Noir Bulldog Reserve
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92
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Young
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80-80
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MARCH 26, 2007 
EXECUTIVE LIFE -- PARKER ON WINE
By Robert Parker
California Pinots To Rival Burgundies
Pinot noir, the grape that makes the red Burgundies of France so famous and cherished, is a delicate fruit that's hard to grow and make into drinkable wine. But some Californians, in Sonoma's cool Russian River region and in more southern reaches as well, manage to produce great wine from it. Their efforts are pricey, $40 to $75 a bottle, and hard to find except at top wine shops and restaurants. That's why, if you're interested in purchasing them, you should get on the mailing lists of wineries that catch your eye.
Ambullneo Vineyards, Santa Barbara
A newcomer with an impressive portfolio of three pinot noirs, all from the area just north of Santa Barbara, Ambullneo looks like it will be a serious player in the years ahead. 805 474-5678
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Wine Advocate #160 (Aug 2005)
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Robert Parker
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93 points
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The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2003 Pinot Noir Bulldog Reserve is more tannic, structured, and muscular than its predecessor. It is impressively endowed with deep, sweet black cherry, raspberry, and plum characteristics judiciously touched by subtle smoky wood, dried herbs, and a white flower component. While not as fleshy or forward as the 2002, it is a medium to full-bodied Pinot with good underlying acidity.
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Wine Advocate #160 (Aug 2005)
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Robert Parker
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92 points
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The 2003 Chardonnay Big Paw exhibits a light green/gold color followed by a steely, elegant nose of tropical fruits intermixed with scents of lemon blossom, honeyed citrus, and subtle wood. Medium to full-bodied, with good acidity as well as a persistent finish, it is more streamlined, elegant, and tighter than the 2002. Consume it over the next 2-4 years.
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Wine Advocate #154 (Aug 2004)
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Robert Parker
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95 points
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Drink 2004-2009
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The 2002 Pinot Noir Bulldog Reserve is one of the most stunning Pinots I have tasted over the last year. Its deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a glorious perfume of black fruits, white flowers, forest floor, and truffles. Cote de Nuits-like, this complex, full-bodied Pinot Noir inundates the palate with forest floor notes intermixed with plums, cherries, black currants, and subtle toast characteristics. Good acidity provides uplift and focus in this outstanding effort. Enjoy it over the next 4-5 years.
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Wine Advocate #154 (Aug 2004)
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Robert Parker
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93 points
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Drink 2004-2010
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The light green/gold-colored 2002 Chardonnay Big Paw offers a subdued nose of restrained tropical fruits intermixed with liquid minerals. Impressive flavors build incrementally, followed by excellent acidity, a judicious touch of new wood, and a 30+ second finish. This is a brilliant Chardonnay that plays it close to the vest. It reminded me of a top premier cru from Chassagne-Montrachet. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.
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The Greatest American Pinot Noir
Two things are absolutely necessary (if not always sufficient) to produce great pinot noir. First, you have to know what great pinot noir is. Then you have to have the resources, commitment and intelligence to make it. Ambullneo's Greg Linn has both.
And he knows perfectly well what it takes to produce this level of pinot noir. His selection process - with "merciless green cropping, aggressive sorting at the harvest and ruthless sacrificing of barrels which don't make the grade" - is as severe as anyone outside Domaine Leroy in Burgundy. In fact, Linn's low yields and utterly uncompromising approach may equal that of Lalou Bize-Leroy. No other American pinot producer comes close
“…Ambullneo's pinots are - as all great pinots are - more of an intensification, a perfect extension, of what nature provides.”
“…Ambullneo's wines ARE extremely concentrated. But it's their pitch-perfect balance and complexity which set them apart. As winemaker Scott Ames puts it: "I'm not interested in making a fast, slapdash wine."
“…Many of the wines express character reminiscent of Grand Crus from the Cote d'Or. The wines are powerful, sometimes brooding, but with a balance and sophistication that continues to blow my mind. This will be one for the ages - and for the cellar."
2002 Ambullneo Bulldog Reserve Pinot Noir and Big Paw Chardonnay received the highest scores ever given (95/93) to any Santa Maria Valley wine by writer and critic Robert Parker, Jr.
In May 2004, the San Francisco Vintner's Club awarded Ambullneo Bulldog Reserve first place in their tasting of California Pinot Noirs.
“Ambullneo Bull Dog Reserve stood out amongst some tough opposition, it was was beautifully balanced which I find most US Pinots struggle with as they tend to be either too fruity or too alcoholic. It seems few hit the bull's eye of balance but yours certainly did.” Mathew Velkes, noted collector.
“I have had a chance to taste your Bulldog Reserve three times. Despite the fact that one of my best friends is a part owner in Arcadian (a very nice winery BTW) and Frank Ostini is one of the greatest guys in the world, this is the best California pinot I have ever tasted bar none. Great job.” Don Cornutt M.D.
California Pinot Noirs (current releases) - May 25: Congratulations to our member-wineries and friends in Santa Barbara County and Sonoma County for earning the highest group rankings in this tasting of California Pinot Noirs! Newcomer Ambullneo Vineyards’ Bulldog Reserve from the Santa Maria Valley earned first place. (Vintners Club Tasting Notes)
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