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EP 952 Tasting with Tim Spear from Clos Mimi Part 2

Gary Vaynerchuk and Tim Spear conclude the tasting of the Clos Mimi wines.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2007 Clos Mimi Mcginley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Clos Mimi Mcginley Vineyard Syrah

Links mentioned in todays episode.


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luca bercelli

83/100

Slightly better than part one but someone should have told this guy that he was on Wine Library TV and not a visit with his shrink. ‘Put some strain on my marriage’. No one wants to know matey.

Tags: cabernet, california, review, Video, wine, wines

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  • Bbolter

    Tim seems to have done what every winemaker strives to do. Truly express their terroir and their personality in their wine. Perhaps he comes on a little strong, but Tim settles comfortably in his own skin. That sounds exactly like the reviews of Clos Mimi wines. Eccentric is different, but different is what makes wine so fascinating. Sorry to see so many cheap shots at the guy. This kind of episode is what I would call bringing the thunder. Thanks, Gary.

  • Anonymous

    These past two episodes kinda dragged for me. But I did enjoy hearing more about Biodynamic wine.

  • DaveAll

    haha. the wine was full bodied, with a hint of ear. . . .

  • DaveAll

    he skipped the 0-10? oh-10? ok, he made up for GV’s comment about ind yeast. haha. I think he is doing the right things – MIMI – hang in there! This 2nd episode showed another side of Tim, pretty cool. Hard to see his eyes under the shade of the hat, though. smile. video blogs are best when you can read the person, the hat made it difficult. Just input.
    QotD: sorry, don’t follow TV sports.

  • Holy cow, did I take some kind of drugs before watching these episodes or what? Hahah, but in all seriousness, Tim SPEAR seems like a pretty cool dude. A little out there, but then again, so many of the greats are. Obviously passionate about what he does, and that’s what’s most important.

    And definite props to Lappy.

  • It’s kind of sad that nobody commented on Tim’s sad state. He’s obviously in a challenging place right now economically, emotionally and physically. Cut the guy some freakin’ slack! My heart goes out to him and his family. I’ll be buying a bottle to show my support. Isn’t that part of the Thank You Economy?

  • Charlie Wasabi

    Best of luck Tim, honest.

    Gary, you’re simply a gifted interviewer:

    I LOVE Amarone … Zenato kills.

    Pssssst: Gary -> Quebec Cheese.

  • Finally joining the game…after almost a year I can’t ignore the THUNDER

  • sideout

    I was a little scared yesterday but now I’m hooked. Really liked the honesty. Not many would come on and discuss bizz being so tough. Usually all you here is everything is great, really excited, best vintage ever, blah blah. How about a Cindy deal for the Cab or Syrah? I usually only break the $75 mark for iconic stuff.

    GV: Blasted you yesterday about the yeast but great job today. I thought for sure you stepped in it again with the year off suggestion. Bazinga! You nailed it. Sounded ridiculous to me. Guess I should stick to drinking wine and watching you.

    QOTD: Played hockey my hole life and love wine but I would have no idea what those guys drink. Maybe tasting some of The Great Ones wines and hoping something rubs off.

  • LurkerKing

    No
    No
    No

    I agree though, chocolate with fruit or mint is over rated.

  • Smarshall

    Really- Tim is straight up TFK. Takes a year of so he can do the marathon then complains that he has no time or money? I got an idea do what the rest of us do in a down economy HUSTLE!!! He is so freaking contradictory its crazy. episode one he is a Franco freak that only drinks Champagne and no sparkling then he shows up on episode 2 with with an 18.5 syrah. WTF. Sad part I’m going to buy a couple of bottles. I thought Gary was a douche 4 years ago when I first watched an episode of WLTV. Now I have watched every episode at least once and have turned on over 50 friends some in the NV. Must be something to Mr Tim Spear. Like a moth to a flame!!!!!!!!!!

  • Anonymous

    I sort of get why Tim is off-putting. He seems to be an acquired taste, and comparing himself to Margaux and Petrus (I guess he passed on making a merlot) does seem a bit megalomaniacal. But the more he talked the more I was digging him. He certainly seems to know his stuff and to be passionate about what he does. And at the end of the day, why shouldn’t he pick the very top producers as his models. There are dozens of boutique wine makers that are unabashedly trying to knock off Harlan, or Silver Oak, etc., and no one really thinks that is crazy (except maybe to the extent it perpetuates a trend to bombastic high extraction — I thought that was an interesting factoid that he threw out that Harlan macerates twice as long as Margaux. Can’t say I really understood what “more extracted” meant — now I get it). In truth, don’t we all do similar things? When I’m on my bike I’m not trying to be as good as the guy who finished 175 in some local road race. I’m imagining that I could stick with Armstrong, or Contador, etc. in the Alps. The difference between him and me is that he has actually studied what makes those guys tick, and is trying in earnest to learn from and emulate them. (I’m mostly just day dreaming and getting a little exercise.) I find that kind of cool.

  • Lady Gaga? Yes! I would love to see a bottle designed by Alexander Mcqueen. Maybe a fresh t-bone steak hanging off the neck to pair with the wine. I haven’t been this interested in a WLTV episode in a while.

  • Great guest. I like all the guests in this second half of the year, and especially the *variety* of guests.

  • QOTD;I don’t know what they are drinking, but my guess the great one is drinking Riesling.

  • Some people say everything you want to hear and package themselves up with a pretty little bow. Not here! He’s different and that’s what makes him so interesting. He made a fan out of me today.. Cheers to Tim…but next time Gary…help him with the QOTD!!

  • Cabfrancophile

    Yeah, he’s kind of half chill surfer dude, half pretentious Francophile. Kind of hard to wrap your mind around, like a wine that is being many things all at once. Perhaps like a French-inspired Syrah that is 18.5 and harvested super late.

  • In Sweden yes, there is always free shipping here. the state monopoly is good that way :). But shipping from US to sweden entails 1. Customs 2. License 3. Alcohol tax 4. VAT 🙁

  • ALLAN

    Part two was better than the first one. Tim came off more “human” in this one, for me.

    But loose that F***** hat bro! That annoyed me quite a bit.

    Sure he’s excentric & probably talented. No doubt. Great interview Gary once again. You’ve got it.

    Qotd: No clue, whatsoever!

    Lady GaGa? Don’t listen to her myself. I like REAL music, sorry.

    After this “on -the-mushroom- episode, we do really need the COUCH to finish of the week of shows. 🙂

    Cheers Tim S, and may your health improve greatly, no pun intended. ALLAN.

  • SniffySmith

    Kudos to you Gary for having Tim on the show. The guy definitely marches to the beat of his own drummer (whom im guessing is French), but give him credit. He has the cajones to make the wine he likes, and does not apologize for it. Was he my favorate guest? No. But here’s the thing: by occasionally pushing the envelope with off-beat guests and/or content, you are pushing us to expand our boundaries. It’s like abstract art. You may not like it, but you appreciate the fact that it exists.

    QOTD: Hockey players drink whatever they want for two reasons: One, they can afford it, and two, after crushing your opponents in victory, anything tastes great.

  • castello

    Pop goes the music. It sells copies,,,,,,,,,arg harumph etc… GAGA this! I agree bout the music but folks seem to love it. Try to avoid it at all costs but it seeps into your eggsentesionalisms and it won’t fade away.
    Every Tom and Dick and Harryharrie.
    Great show Tom and Gary. 18.5 percent! Gotta get me some of that juice! 40 bucks would be more like it. deflationismsesesses

  • flavasauce

    Don’t care for Hockey or Lady Gaga so kind of stumped.
    Gary, you should try and get Abe Schoener of Scholium Project on the show. He is doing some absolutely wacky and interesting stuff. He’s also fun and interesting, former philosophy professor at St Johns.

  • castello

    welcome big L llc!

  • castello

    Wow, u r correct sir

  • castello

    Kobe drinks Dom!

  • castello

    After some hippy lettuce even the mint chocolate is priceless

  • castello

    lmfao!

  • castello

    Did Sasha like the Syrah or not? Ah-may-roon-ay

  • castello

    Vooodoo is cool! Nice link. Does the moon have more gravitas when it is full?

  • castello

    We may need a blind tasting of sirah vs 18 percent syrah, The cab may be ok though at big ass bones it better be a 90somethin.!exclamtionpoint

  • castello

    That makes you not second! But you make it look good! 🙂

  • castello

    The shirt would melt nicely on a campfire stoked with whiskey

  • KyBoy45

    Episode 1: this guy is off the reservation…plain and simple.
    Episode 2: i sincerely appreciated his honesty about being in business during today’s market. i think one of his greatest qualities is how open and honest he came off…people appreciate that. sounds like his wines are legit, but I still can’t afford a $75 cab. I have two suggestions for him while marketing himself and his wine…1) lose the hat 2) SMILE!!!–wine’s fun, don’t be so serious

  • Not second is where it’s at. Looking ahead of the curve. ;P

  • Grrrrrr. This Lurker challenge is going to vex me. 😛

  • This second part is totally different from the first…I agree with a lot of vayniacs, this guy deserves respect and his honesty moved me…
    Unfortunately here in Italy will be really tough to find his wines, but should I see one of them I’ll definitely buy it…
    Clos Mimi site is such amazing, shows exactly how much love and passion Tim puts in his job and his family…

    Buona fortuna Tim, di cuore…

    PS. Tim, you told you never came to Italy, come on do it, I’m sure you would love it

  • Jason

    I’ve been watching TV Wine Library since around episode 300 or so, and this is the first time I’ve felt a need to comment.

    Seriously, what is this guy withdrawing from? His hands were shaking uncontrollably. Watching him bring the wine glass to his face, was like watching a 115 year old man trying to get a drink. Between the hat and the ego, he comes off as such an ass. Even his attempts at making a joke were in poor taste. These two episodes were exactly what you’ve been fighting against this whole time. No one wants to watch you blow smoke up someones ass for an hour.

    Please let this be his last episode.

  • rwino

    Gary, you did a much better job in part 2. I can’t figure this guy out, his ego gets in the way. What winemaker in his right mind lets his grapes get over-ripe just to follow a half baked theory of when to pick them? $75 for an over-ripe Syrah? I think I’ll pass.
    As far as taking 2010 off, good move as it is shaping up to be a poor vintage from what I’m hearing. I bet in 12 years that syrah will only be good for putting on pancakes…..

  • Anonymous

    Another Bush blamer…two years later..gimme a break. The whells have definitely come off his bus. maybe he should move to canada.

  • Anonymous

    OZ CLARKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Slushpuppy

    Jolly stomper: Don’t stop there; go for a swim under the beautiful light of a full moon!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Smell it first.TR

  • Slushpuppy

    Here, here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Slushpuppy

    Keep drinking that Cool-Aide kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Smell it first.TR

  • ALLAN

    Agreed! Sooner rather than later!

  • ALLAN

    I really would wish I could be at your age:P, I could have lived in The Golden Age of music, not now in this kind of nothingness, we have at the moment. The music business is controlled by a bunch of money-slurpin’ idiots. 🙁

    Lady Gaga = Lindemans, Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon. for the moment.

    Tom Waits = Conterno, Barolo Monfortino. for the ages.

    Been listening to Nighthawks.. have we…… ? ? ? 😛

    Cheers castello. I feel we speak the same language.

  • ALLAN

    Mmmmmmmm….. whiskey…..

  • scottEJ

    Thanks guys. Me lovey the nice, big wines of Cali.

    Congrats on the marathon, Tim. I’ve run NY and it is no easy feat. Enjoy your time off from the 2010 vintage.

  • Anonymous

    Sometimes you can be a fan of the wine, but the winemaker doesn’t necessarily make for a good interview. I just couldn’t watch the whole thing, it was painful. Gotta say he’s a little snobby as well. I’d rather drink Clos Pepe and talk with Wes Hagen any day over this guy.

  • Cabfrancophile

    The guy just did run a marathon. Your body is messed up after running a long distance like that. I ran a half marathon with 4000 feet of elevation gain, which is probably a similar exertion. Took a few days to get back to normal.

    I do agree Gary ought to have been a bit tougher. He didn’t need to be an a$$, just be a bit more critical. The price points coming off McGinley are out there compared to everyone else who sources from that vineyard.

  • Cabfrancophile

    That is to say it seems liker he feel entitled to a high price, instead of earning it like all the old school guys in Santa Barbara like Tolmach, Clendenen, Sanford and Longoria did.

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