Dec 30, 2022
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The Other Guys
| Owner(s) | Don Sebastiani, Sr. |
| Web site | www.togwines.com |
| Link to this site |
Articles About The Other Guys
California Pinot Noir from A to T (9.12 10/1/2012)
Grocery Store Pinot (9.16 12/10/2012)
Mining for Good Under-$30 Pinot: Inflation Tamers (8.32 3/1/2011)
Mining the Pinot Bargain Bin: It’s What’s for Dinner (9.3 2/22/2012)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay & Outliers (9.43 7/19/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (& Chardonnay) (10.1 12/11/2014)
Reviewed Wines
2012 Pennywise California Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.60, RS 4.0 g/L, 17,000 cases,
$10. Produced by The Other Guys based in Napa. Pinot Noir is sourced from a couple of blocks on
the eastern edge of the Bay Area: Livermore and Clarksburg. 78% Pinot Noir, 11% Grenache, 6%
Barbera, 3% Petite Sirah and 2% Merlot.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The blackberry,
black currant and black raspberry fruit shows promise in this wine but is overshadowed by the oakdriven
imprint of smoke, tobacco and vanilla. The soft, refined mouthfeel is the best feature of this
wine. The added red varieties bring a touch of peppery spice flavor. Tasted twice.
Score: 85.
Reviewed July 19, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 Gehricke Los Carneros Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., RS 2.5 g/L, 1,050 cases, $50. The first entry into the
premium wine market by The Other Guys known for laid back labels like Hey Mambo, Pennywise and
Plungerhead. This wine resulted from a collaboration between August Sebastiani and his brother-in-law and
winemaker, Kendrick Coakley. Aged 9 months in French oak.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the
glass. Oak aromas and flavors dominate the lovely fruit in this otherwise appealing wine. The nose offers
scents of dark chocolate coated black cherries, smoke and coffee. Silky smooth on the palate, with a mid
weight core of sweet, fresh black cherry and black raspberry fruits with anise, spice and dark chocolate notes
in the background. Modest tannins and some length on the fruit-laden finish. Your pleasure will depend on how
big a role you want oak to play in your Pinot.
Score: 89.
Reviewed December 10, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 Leese-Fitch California Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.56, 30,000 cases, $10.50, Zork closure.
76% Pinot Noir, 13% Syrah, 6% Grenache, 5% Barbara. 23% Monterey, 21% Lodi, 18% Clarksburg, 14%
Mendocino, 9% Sierra Foothills, 8% Northern Interior Valley, 7% Santa Barbara.
·
Medium reddish-purple color
in the glass. Aromas of strawberries, red cherries, raspberries, smoky oak and campfire. Medium weight core
of red cherry and raspberry flavors with a smoky, woody undertone. Juicy and easy to drink with mild fine grain
tannins. Fruit tends to fade rather quickly over time in the glass. Decent.
Reviewed October 14, 2012
ARTICLE »
2011 Pennywise California Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.58, 27,000 cases, $11. Primarily sourced from the Merwin Vineyard in
Clarksburg with contributions from vineyards in Monterey, Santa Barabara, Solano County, Lodi and the Sierra Foothills. 90% Pinot Noir, 6% Barbera, and 4% Sangiovese.
·
Light red color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with
aromas of fresh cherries and sandalwood. Light flavors of cherries, cranberries and strawberries with mild
tannins and no oak in sight. Soft in the mouth, and easy to drink. A pleasant, straightforward Pinot Noir that is
true to the varietal. A good back porch wine. Good.
Reviewed October 2, 2012
ARTICLE »
2011 Moobuzz Monterey Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.61, 5,400 cases, $15, Zork closure. 86% Monterey, 10% Mendocino, 4% Lodi. 86% Pinot Noir, 10% Sangiovese, 3% Tempranillo, 1% Syrah.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Very fragrant with
bright aromas of dark red fruits, rose petals, spice and a hint of spicy
oak. Plenty of Pinot fruit singing with enough fine-grain tannins to add
a pleasing mouthfeel and enough oak in the background to compliment
the fruit and lend the wine some credence. A simple, but satisfying
wine. Good.
Reviewed October 2, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Leese-Fitch California Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $8-$10, Zork closure. The
biggest selling Pinot Noir fromThe Other Guys, Napa, CA. The Leese-Fitch wines
celebrate the restoration of the historic Leese-Fitch Adobe on Sonoma Plaza
which was built in 1836 and was named after Jacob Leese and Henry Fitch,
brothers-in-law to General Mariano Vallejo, the founder of the town of Sonoma.
Sourced from Santa Barbara County and Clarksburg. Previous vintages
contained a small percentage of other red varieties.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple
color in the glass. Aromas of dark berries, plums, dried herbs and wet
leaves. Tasty core of black raspberry fruit with added interest from notes of black
grapes, dark cherries and cola. Lighter weighted with bright acidity and moderate tannins, silky on the palate,
with a hint of toasted oak and mocha in the background. Good (+).
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Pennywise California Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.58, 27,000 cases, $12.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the
glass. Complex nose offering aromas of black cherries, brier, chalk and oak. Discreetly concentrated core of
dark cherry and dark red berry fruit with supporting oak. Smooth on the palate with well-hued tannins and easy
drink ability. Good (-).
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 Moobuz Monterey Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., $15, Zork closure. From The Other Guys.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, spice, oak char
and sweet smoke. The flavors echo the nose. Moderately light with mild dusty tannins and a good snap of
acidity on the finish. The undertone of smoky oak detracts. Decent.
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2008 The Other Guys Pennywise California Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH
3.81, $10-$13. 94% Pinot Noir, 5% Syrah, 1% Merlot. 70% Monterey (Pinot
Noir), 24% Clarksburg (Pinot Noir), 5% River Junction, 1% Paso Robles.
Clones are Pommard, 115, 667 and 777.
·
Interesting depiction of a stamp on
the label. Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of red
cherries and berries with a hint of smoky oak. Soft and silky in the mouth with
medium-weighted cherry and berry flavors set off by oak-driven brown spices
and cola. Some hearty grape variety influence is evident. Reserved tannins
and a dry finish. Decent (+).
Reviewed March 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 The Other Guys MooBuzz Monterey Pinot Noir
13.9% alc.,
pH 3.78, $14-$15, bright yellow Zork closure. 95% Pinot Noir, 5%
Syrah (for color and richness). 95% Monterey (Pinot Noir), 5% Paso
Robles (Syrah). Back label says, “High on a rugged remote central
California hilltop, now and then a cow moos to the accompaniment of
buzzing bees.” Front label sports a topographical map of Monterey.
Very cool package.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the
glass. This wine offers a generous drinking experience with aromas and flavors
of cherries and strawberries with mild smoky oak overtones. Very mild tannins,
with a refreshing lift of fruit on the finish. Good (+).
Reviewed March 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2012 Pennywise California Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.60, RS 4.0 g/L, 17,000 cases, $10. Produced by The Other Guys based in Napa. Pinot Noir is sourced from a couple of blocks on the eastern edge of the Bay Area: Livermore and Clarksburg. 78% Pinot Noir, 11% Grenache, 6% Barbera, 3% Petite Sirah and 2% Merlot. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The blackberry, black currant and black raspberry fruit shows promise in this wine but is overshadowed by the oakdriven imprint of smoke, tobacco and vanilla. The soft, refined mouthfeel is the best feature of this wine. The added red varieties bring a touch of peppery spice flavor. Tasted twice. Score: 85. Reviewed July 19, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 Gehricke Los Carneros Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., RS 2.5 g/L, 1,050 cases, $50. The first entry into the premium wine market by The Other Guys known for laid back labels like Hey Mambo, Pennywise and Plungerhead. This wine resulted from a collaboration between August Sebastiani and his brother-in-law and winemaker, Kendrick Coakley. Aged 9 months in French oak. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Oak aromas and flavors dominate the lovely fruit in this otherwise appealing wine. The nose offers scents of dark chocolate coated black cherries, smoke and coffee. Silky smooth on the palate, with a mid weight core of sweet, fresh black cherry and black raspberry fruits with anise, spice and dark chocolate notes in the background. Modest tannins and some length on the fruit-laden finish. Your pleasure will depend on how big a role you want oak to play in your Pinot. Score: 89. Reviewed December 10, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 Leese-Fitch California Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.56, 30,000 cases, $10.50, Zork closure. 76% Pinot Noir, 13% Syrah, 6% Grenache, 5% Barbara. 23% Monterey, 21% Lodi, 18% Clarksburg, 14% Mendocino, 9% Sierra Foothills, 8% Northern Interior Valley, 7% Santa Barbara. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of strawberries, red cherries, raspberries, smoky oak and campfire. Medium weight core of red cherry and raspberry flavors with a smoky, woody undertone. Juicy and easy to drink with mild fine grain tannins. Fruit tends to fade rather quickly over time in the glass. Decent. Reviewed October 14, 2012 ARTICLE »
2011 Pennywise California Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.58, 27,000 cases, $11. Primarily sourced from the Merwin Vineyard in Clarksburg with contributions from vineyards in Monterey, Santa Barabara, Solano County, Lodi and the Sierra Foothills. 90% Pinot Noir, 6% Barbera, and 4% Sangiovese. · Light red color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of fresh cherries and sandalwood. Light flavors of cherries, cranberries and strawberries with mild tannins and no oak in sight. Soft in the mouth, and easy to drink. A pleasant, straightforward Pinot Noir that is true to the varietal. A good back porch wine. Good. Reviewed October 2, 2012 ARTICLE »
2011 Moobuzz Monterey Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.61, 5,400 cases, $15, Zork closure. 86% Monterey, 10% Mendocino, 4% Lodi. 86% Pinot Noir, 10% Sangiovese, 3% Tempranillo, 1% Syrah. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Very fragrant with bright aromas of dark red fruits, rose petals, spice and a hint of spicy oak. Plenty of Pinot fruit singing with enough fine-grain tannins to add a pleasing mouthfeel and enough oak in the background to compliment the fruit and lend the wine some credence. A simple, but satisfying wine. Good. Reviewed October 2, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Leese-Fitch California Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $8-$10, Zork closure. The biggest selling Pinot Noir fromThe Other Guys, Napa, CA. The Leese-Fitch wines celebrate the restoration of the historic Leese-Fitch Adobe on Sonoma Plaza which was built in 1836 and was named after Jacob Leese and Henry Fitch, brothers-in-law to General Mariano Vallejo, the founder of the town of Sonoma. Sourced from Santa Barbara County and Clarksburg. Previous vintages contained a small percentage of other red varieties. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark berries, plums, dried herbs and wet leaves. Tasty core of black raspberry fruit with added interest from notes of black grapes, dark cherries and cola. Lighter weighted with bright acidity and moderate tannins, silky on the palate, with a hint of toasted oak and mocha in the background. Good (+). Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Pennywise California Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.58, 27,000 cases, $12. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Complex nose offering aromas of black cherries, brier, chalk and oak. Discreetly concentrated core of dark cherry and dark red berry fruit with supporting oak. Smooth on the palate with well-hued tannins and easy drink ability. Good (-). Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 Moobuz Monterey Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., $15, Zork closure. From The Other Guys. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, spice, oak char and sweet smoke. The flavors echo the nose. Moderately light with mild dusty tannins and a good snap of acidity on the finish. The undertone of smoky oak detracts. Decent. Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »
2008 The Other Guys Pennywise California Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.81, $10-$13. 94% Pinot Noir, 5% Syrah, 1% Merlot. 70% Monterey (Pinot Noir), 24% Clarksburg (Pinot Noir), 5% River Junction, 1% Paso Robles. Clones are Pommard, 115, 667 and 777. · Interesting depiction of a stamp on the label. Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of red cherries and berries with a hint of smoky oak. Soft and silky in the mouth with medium-weighted cherry and berry flavors set off by oak-driven brown spices and cola. Some hearty grape variety influence is evident. Reserved tannins and a dry finish. Decent (+). Reviewed March 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 The Other Guys MooBuzz Monterey Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.78, $14-$15, bright yellow Zork closure. 95% Pinot Noir, 5% Syrah (for color and richness). 95% Monterey (Pinot Noir), 5% Paso Robles (Syrah). Back label says, “High on a rugged remote central California hilltop, now and then a cow moos to the accompaniment of buzzing bees.” Front label sports a topographical map of Monterey. Very cool package. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. This wine offers a generous drinking experience with aromas and flavors of cherries and strawberries with mild smoky oak overtones. Very mild tannins, with a refreshing lift of fruit on the finish. Good (+). Reviewed March 2, 2011 ARTICLE »