Tried this last night w/ my pizza:
1. AmbullneoVnyds Syrah Howling SantaMariaVlly (65% Z-Block BienNacido/35% Rimrock vnyds; U; 14.5%) Greg Linn/ScottAmes/SantaMaria 2005: Very dark/black color w/ no bricking; very intense blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah rather peppery/cold-climate/spicy some toasty/charred/oak slight alcoholic big/ripe/powerful nose; soft bit alcoholic slight tannic/hard big/ripe/blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah rather peppery/cracked black pepper/cold-climate some toasty/charred/oak flavor; very long bit hot/alcoholic intense blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah some cracked black pepper/cold-climate bit tannic/hard rather structured finish; a big/ripe Syrah but not over-the-top; not showing much evolution and needs another 2-5 yrs; a very good Syrah in the style of the old AndrewMurrays; very attractively priced at $24.00
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And a wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Ambullneo is a pretty well hidden winery. Started by GregLinn and the winemaker is ScottAmes. Theme of the winery focuses on BullDogs as best I can tell. Originally located at BienNacido vnyd, believe they're now up in ArroyoGrande. Their WebSite (www.AmbullneoVineyards.com) doesn't have a lot of information. Don't see any wines after the '08 vintage, so don't know if they're still in business. I tried this Syrah about 2 yrs ago & really liked it, especially for the price.
The Rimrock vnyd is SE of Laetitia, within view of the Pacific. Definitely a cold-climate vnyd, as is BienNacido; which comes thru loud & clear in the wine.
Tom