2019 Clos Mogador Com Tu
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | |
| Appellation | Montsant (Appellation) |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (15%) |
| Drink window | 2023 - 2031 |
In stock
32 items available
Description
The Com Tu is a new project from the famous Clos Mogador. René Barbier was one of the winemakers who discovered the potential of Priorat and is now indispensable in the wine world. They have been in La Figuera since 2002-2003 and became involved in the Espectacle project. Their Laurona project always had some Garnacha from the village and after discovering Espectacle, they focused more attention on the old vineyards in the village. This new wine is based on three vineyards, all Garnacha, at about 550 to 600 meters altitude near the Espectacle vineyard with a total of only approx. 3 HA in size, so supply is very limited. The character of this village wine is determined by flowers, an ethereal nose with orange peel aromas and an incredible structure and can be compared to a juicy Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Com Tu is a new name to follow. The 2017 is the first year and immediately receives high reviews, but in the end this is also from Clos Mogador. Parker writes: "It reminds me of a Garnacha from Châteauneuf"
The Com Tu is a 100% Grenache/Garnacha which has been allowed to mature for 18 months in a 4,000 liter used oak foudre and then another year of bottle aging. The Garnacha grapes ferment in the same foudre with indigenous yeasts. It is still very young and raw and the nose needs to develop, but it has subtle notes of raspberry leaf and wild cherry. The garnacha grapes from La Figuera provide a wine with a unique ruby red color, soft and juicy. The wine is still young, but after decanting you discover the opening with beautiful notes of ripe raspberries and cherries, currants, orange peel, liquorice and violets. This perfect combination is also noticeable in the taste where fruit is accompanied by herbs such as thyme and rosemary, but also dates and figs that add a pleasant sweetness. The wine is powerful on the one hand, and refined on the other with silky tannins and sufficient freshness. He is already very tasty when young, but has immense potential. The taste is more lively and will improve with time. Besides the Espetacle, Com Tu is one of the names to watch in Montsant.
Com tu? means by the way: I am like you (Com tú), you are like me. It is a mix between the Barbier philosophy and the son of Rene Barbier who has been adopted. It is a tribute to all people, no matter the color of their skin, their gender, whatever face or body they have, whether they have a disability or not. The name of the wine should remind you that we are all the same inside. We all share basic needs, they make us human, they make us equal. In summary, I am like you (Com tú), you are like me.
On the other hand, the label is the result of a collaboration between my mother Isabelle, a great artist, and myself. If you look closely enough, you will see two eyes, and in them a man and a woman of a different race, holding hands through the glasses. They need each other so that the glasses do not fall. Thus I see that there is no future for men without women, no future with ethnicities to face; strength comes in numbers. The nose is my signature.
There is no border on the photo, this gives people the freedom to decide whether it is male or female. The name of the wine is written over the mouth with different letters. The "C" refers to my curly hair. The 'O' refers to the mouth, like the shape of an open door, (this is the same symbol the Japanese use by the way ;) opening and communicating with each other to avoid confrontation, in a world where war has already done enough damage. The "M" for music, which calms the animals and brings peace (at least for me). The "T" is two perpendicular pencils, which is how I like to write. And last but not least, the "U" is a bush, being a nature lover like me, it had to be there.
About 2019
Great year when it comes to wine balance. One of the shortest vintages in quantity due to a record temperature in June, more than 45 degrees, which depending on which area, caused the loss of between 60 to 30% of the harvest. After this episode we had a perfect climate to be able to harvest and have one of the great vintages of our winery today. Rene Barbier Meyer
René Barbier (and for years now with his son Rene Barbier Jr) is, together with Carles Pastrana from Clos de l'Obac, Alvaro Palacios (from Rioja, but known for L'Ermita in Priorat) and José Lluis Perez (Clos Martinet, and father of Sarah Perez), one of the "founding fathers" of this recently discovered or rediscovered Priorat wine region. Clos Mogador is named after the single vineyard that René Barbier began cultivating in the 1970s, in the now world-famous village of Gratallops. The wines of Clos Mogador have become mythical wines, just like Sassicaia from Italy and Château Margaux from France. Clos Mogador has the cult status of great world wine. A special feature of René Barbier's wine making: he presses the grapes using an olive oil press, so that only half of the grape juice is obtained (in contrast to a normal press). As a result, the wine is 50% more concentrated and appears almost licorice in the glass. Priorat wines are naturally quite concentrated, and yields are usually already microscopic. Robert Parker was one of the first international journalists to give additional critical acclaim to the wines of Clos Mogador.
In addition to the Clos Mogador, Rene Barbier Jr's wife, the famous winemaker Sara Pérez, makes wines in the Montsant (the region around the Priorat) from the La Universal winery. The Venus and Dido are now also among Spain's best wines. Even more iconic are the wines they make under their own label namely under Sara Perez y Rene Barbier .
Technical info:
Winery: Cooperativa de la Figuera
Type of wine: Vintage in an oak cask.
Origin of grapes: 35 to 50 years old vineyards and centennial in La Figuera
Average production: 12,000 bottles
Distribution: International and national
Apellation: Montsant DO
Grapes: Single variety 100% Grenache
Size of vineyard: 3 Hectares
Area: Mountain area 580/600m. above sea level
Aging: 18 months in a folder. Bottled 1st week in April 2021
Ethanol: 14.5%
Volatile acidity: 0.67 g/l
Tartaric acid: 5.0 g/l
Total sulfur dioxide: 32 mg/l
Reducing sugars: 1.6 g/l
PH: 3.51
Type of bottle: “Bourguignon”
Soil: Red clay and limestone
Specifications
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Catalunya |
| Appellation | Montsant (Appellation) |
| Winery | Clos Mogador |
| Grape | Garnacha |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Drinking as of | 2023 |
| Drinking till | 2031 |
| Alcohol % | 15 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 93 |
| Vinous rating | 93 |
| Tasting Profiles | Aards, Boers, Complex, Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard |
Professional Reviews
Parker
Rating
94
Release Price
$50
Drink Date
2022 - 2028
Reviewed by
Luis Gutiérrez
Issue Date
30th Sep 2022
Source
End of September 2022, The Wine Advocate
The 2019 Com Tu is now part of the Clos Mogador portfolio even though it started as a small separate project from Anderson Barbier, who is now training to be a chef, so the project is continued by his brother, René. This is now the village wine from La Figuera (in Montsant) from the Mogador team. 2019 is a year of concentration but with very good acidity, and the wine shows the good Priorat (even if it's from Montsant!)—warm and ripe with careful extraction. The wine expresses a typical vintage in balance, showing the power the zone delivers. It's a very complete wine, still young and a little closed, a year like 2016 or 2013, that will grow with time in bottle. 12,000 bottles produced.
The 2019s from Clos Mogador are some of the best wines they have ever produced. They now include Com Tu from Montsant as their La Figuera village wine.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
93
Drinking Window
2023 - 2032
From: Mediterranean Spain: Where to Start? (Mar 2021)
Saturated ruby. Intense dark berry, cherry pit and floral pastille aromas are complicated by suggestions of licorice and smoky minerals. Sappy and concentrated on the palate, offering vibrant bitter cherry, black raspberry and candied violet flavors that show strong, spicy back-end cut. Youthfully gripping tannins come in slowly on the persistent finish, which features lingering mineral and spice flourishes.
- By Josh Raynolds on January 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Wijnhuis
In the heart of Priorat, Clos Mogador grew into one of Spain’s most influential wineries, led by the Barbier family and their unique vision.
The history of Clos Mogador
Clos Mogador is inseparably linked to the revival of Priorat in the 1980s. Until then, the region was almost forgotten. Old terraces lay abandoned and production was small and local. René Barbier, from a Catalan-French winemaking family, saw potential here. Together with a small group of pioneers, he decided to plant vines on these rugged slate soils. It was a bold step, as the conditions were harsh and yields were low. Yet this proved to be the key to quality. Their joint wines gained international recognition in a short time and Priorat once again became a name in the wine world.
From the very beginning, Clos Mogador was one of the leading examples. While many other wine regions chose large-scale production, Barbier opted for small-scale, focused and distinctive winemaking. The first vintages were immediately a statement: this is wine with character, unwilling to compromise.
The Barbier family
The story of Clos Mogador is also a family story. René Barbier and his wife Isabel Meyer built the estate step by step, often with limited resources but always with vision. Their son, René Barbier Meyer, literally grew up among the barrels and has since become the driving force in the cellar. He combines the knowledge of his parents with a contemporary approach. His sister, Christian, and other family members are also involved. This makes Clos Mogador not an anonymous project, but a family estate where tradition and renewal go hand in hand.
What makes this family so interesting is the combination of Catalan determination and French finesse. Barbier senior brought his European background with him, but always felt deeply connected to Priorat and Catalan culture. That mix can be tasted in the wines: classic in structure, modern in energy.
About René Barbier
René Barbier Sr. was born in 1950 in Tarragona and is a direct descendant of French winemakers with roots going back to the 1200s. Like his ancestors, he has spent his entire life in the wine world. Trained at the most prestigious wine schools in Bordeaux, Burgundy and Limoux, he also worked in renowned wineries such as Moueix, the makers of Petrus.
René Barbier is considered the father of "Modern Priorat," an era that began in the late 1980s and crystallized in the "Clos" movement. He was the first to truly believe in the potential of the area to produce world-class wines. Barbier was a visionary who brought together a group of friends and motivated them to follow a dream, take on an adventure, and create a new lifestyle. This family winery, where two generations currently work side by side, was founded in 1979 in Gratallops. Their Clos Mogador is the symbol of a revolution, the pure expression of Priorat terroir, and one of the most respected wines in Spain.
The origins of this vineyard go back to Roman times. The vines benefit from an exceptional microclimate because they are surrounded by mountains reaching 1,200 meters above sea level. Clos Mogador is an immense amphitheater of crumbling slate (licorella), bathed by the Siurana River, rich in history and Moorish legends. René was born in 1950 in Tarragona and is a direct descendant of French winemakers whose roots go back to the 1200s. Like his ancestors, he has spent his whole life in wine. Trained in the most prestigious wine schools of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Limoux, he also worked in renowned wineries such as Moueix, the makers of Petrus. His reach in the wine world and experience extends from vineyards to wine marketing and especially to the part where his own wines are made. In 1979 he acquired his first vineyard in Priorat and began producing his first wine in the region: Clos Mogador. Later came Nelin, Manyetes and Espectacle del Montsant.
The location in Priorat
Gratallops, the village where Clos Mogador is located, forms the heart of Priorat. The landscape is spectacular and unforgiving: steep slopes, narrow terraces and winding rivers that cut through the region. The key element is the soil. The famous llicorella, a mix of dark slate and quartz, gives the wines their recognizable minerality and power. This soil forces the vines to root deeply in search of water and nutrients. The result: grapes with concentration and tension.
The climate in Priorat is dry and sunny, with hot summers. However, altitude differences and the cooling garbinada wind provide much-needed freshness. Nights are cool, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and retain their acidity. This contrast between heat and coolness gives the wines their balance.
Vineyards and grapes
Clos Mogador works with vineyards that vary in age and location. Some vines are over 80 years old and produce grapes of exceptional quality. The core varieties are Garnacha and Cariñena, typical of Priorat. In addition, they use Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon for extra depth. The vineyards are spread across small plots that can only be worked by hand. Machines have no chance here; it is pure manual labor.
Organic and biodynamic principles play an increasingly important role. No pesticides, but natural solutions. No artificial fertilizers, but compost and green manures. Biodiversity is high, with olive trees, herbs and shrubs growing between the vines. This creates balance in the vineyard and healthy grapes that require little correction in the cellar.
The wines of Clos Mogador
The signature wine is Clos Mogador itself. This blend of Garnacha, Cariñena, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is considered one of the benchmarks of Priorat. It is known for its power, depth and longevity. Enthusiasts easily age the wine for ten to twenty years. Each vintage is different, but the style is recognizable: intense, complex and with a vibrant minerality from the llicorella soils.
In addition, the family makes several other wines:
- Manyetes: a pure expression of Cariñena from a special plot. Firm, dark and yet refined.
- Nelin: a white Priorat, made from Garnacha Blanca and other local grapes. Aging in wooden barrels and amphorae gives it depth and originality.
- Com Tu: a red wine from Montsant, produced by René Barbier junior and his wife. It is a tribute to diversity and equality, with an approachable style.
Each wine shows that Clos Mogador does not stand still. The estate continues to experiment, but always with respect for the origin and the identity of Priorat.
Interesting facts
- - Clos Mogador was one of the five original “Clos” that made Priorat internationally known in the 1980s.
- - The name Mogador refers to Essaouira in Morocco, a place where the Barbier family has fond memories.
- - In 2001, Clos Mogador was one of the first wines in Spain to receive the status “Vi de Finca Qualificada”: an official recognition for vineyards of exceptional quality.
- - The labels of Clos Mogador are designed by family members and friends, giving each vintage a personal touch.
- - The estate welcomes wine lovers from all over the world every year, b
The Com Tu is a new project from the famous Clos Mogador. René Barbier was one of the winemakers who discovered the potential of Priorat and is now indispensable in the wine world. They have been in La Figuera since 2002-2003 and became involved in the Espectacle project. Their Laurona project always had some Garnacha from the village and after discovering Espectacle, they focused more attention on the old vineyards in the village. This new wine is based on three vineyards, all Garnacha, at about 550 to 600 meters altitude near the Espectacle vineyard with a total of only approx. 3 HA in size, so supply is very limited. The character of this village wine is determined by flowers, an ethereal nose with orange peel aromas and an incredible structure and can be compared to a juicy Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Com Tu is a new name to follow. The 2017 is the first year and immediately receives high reviews, but in the end this is also from Clos Mogador. Parker writes: "It reminds me of a Garnacha from Châteauneuf"
The Com Tu is a 100% Grenache/Garnacha which has been allowed to mature for 18 months in a 4,000 liter used oak foudre and then another year of bottle aging. The Garnacha grapes ferment in the same foudre with indigenous yeasts. It is still very young and raw and the nose needs to develop, but it has subtle notes of raspberry leaf and wild cherry. The garnacha grapes from La Figuera provide a wine with a unique ruby red color, soft and juicy. The wine is still young, but after decanting you discover the opening with beautiful notes of ripe raspberries and cherries, currants, orange peel, liquorice and violets. This perfect combination is also noticeable in the taste where fruit is accompanied by herbs such as thyme and rosemary, but also dates and figs that add a pleasant sweetness. The wine is powerful on the one hand, and refined on the other with silky tannins and sufficient freshness. He is already very tasty when young, but has immense potential. The taste is more lively and will improve with time. Besides the Espetacle, Com Tu is one of the names to watch in Montsant.
Com tu? means by the way: I am like you (Com tú), you are like me. It is a mix between the Barbier philosophy and the son of Rene Barbier who has been adopted. It is a tribute to all people, no matter the color of their skin, their gender, whatever face or body they have, whether they have a disability or not. The name of the wine should remind you that we are all the same inside. We all share basic needs, they make us human, they make us equal. In summary, I am like you (Com tú), you are like me.
On the other hand, the label is the result of a collaboration between my mother Isabelle, a great artist, and myself. If you look closely enough, you will see two eyes, and in them a man and a woman of a different race, holding hands through the glasses. They need each other so that the glasses do not fall. Thus I see that there is no future for men without women, no future with ethnicities to face; strength comes in numbers. The nose is my signature.
There is no border on the photo, this gives people the freedom to decide whether it is male or female. The name of the wine is written over the mouth with different letters. The "C" refers to my curly hair. The 'O' refers to the mouth, like the shape of an open door, (this is the same symbol the Japanese use by the way ;) opening and communicating with each other to avoid confrontation, in a world where war has already done enough damage. The "M" for music, which calms the animals and brings peace (at least for me). The "T" is two perpendicular pencils, which is how I like to write. And last but not least, the "U" is a bush, being a nature lover like me, it had to be there.
About 2019
Great year when it comes to wine balance. One of the shortest vintages in quantity due to a record temperature in June, more than 45 degrees, which depending on which area, caused the loss of between 60 to 30% of the harvest. After this episode we had a perfect climate to be able to harvest and have one of the great vintages of our winery today. Rene Barbier Meyer
René Barbier (and for years now with his son Rene Barbier Jr) is, together with Carles Pastrana from Clos de l'Obac, Alvaro Palacios (from Rioja, but known for L'Ermita in Priorat) and José Lluis Perez (Clos Martinet, and father of Sarah Perez), one of the "founding fathers" of this recently discovered or rediscovered Priorat wine region. Clos Mogador is named after the single vineyard that René Barbier began cultivating in the 1970s, in the now world-famous village of Gratallops. The wines of Clos Mogador have become mythical wines, just like Sassicaia from Italy and Château Margaux from France. Clos Mogador has the cult status of great world wine. A special feature of René Barbier's wine making: he presses the grapes using an olive oil press, so that only half of the grape juice is obtained (in contrast to a normal press). As a result, the wine is 50% more concentrated and appears almost licorice in the glass. Priorat wines are naturally quite concentrated, and yields are usually already microscopic. Robert Parker was one of the first international journalists to give additional critical acclaim to the wines of Clos Mogador.
In addition to the Clos Mogador, Rene Barbier Jr's wife, the famous winemaker Sara Pérez, makes wines in the Montsant (the region around the Priorat) from the La Universal winery. The Venus and Dido are now also among Spain's best wines. Even more iconic are the wines they make under their own label namely under Sara Perez y Rene Barbier .
Technical info:
Winery: Cooperativa de la Figuera
Type of wine: Vintage in an oak cask.
Origin of grapes: 35 to 50 years old vineyards and centennial in La Figuera
Average production: 12,000 bottles
Distribution: International and national
Apellation: Montsant DO
Grapes: Single variety 100% Grenache
Size of vineyard: 3 Hectares
Area: Mountain area 580/600m. above sea level
Aging: 18 months in a folder. Bottled 1st week in April 2021
Ethanol: 14.5%
Volatile acidity: 0.67 g/l
Tartaric acid: 5.0 g/l
Total sulfur dioxide: 32 mg/l
Reducing sugars: 1.6 g/l
PH: 3.51
Type of bottle: “Bourguignon”
Soil: Red clay and limestone
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Catalunya |
| Appellation | Montsant (Appellation) |
| Winery | Clos Mogador |
| Grape | Garnacha |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Drinking as of | 2023 |
| Drinking till | 2031 |
| Alcohol % | 15 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 93 |
| Vinous rating | 93 |
| Tasting Profiles | Aards, Boers, Complex, Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard |
Parker
Rating
94
Release Price
$50
Drink Date
2022 - 2028
Reviewed by
Luis Gutiérrez
Issue Date
30th Sep 2022
Source
End of September 2022, The Wine Advocate
The 2019 Com Tu is now part of the Clos Mogador portfolio even though it started as a small separate project from Anderson Barbier, who is now training to be a chef, so the project is continued by his brother, René. This is now the village wine from La Figuera (in Montsant) from the Mogador team. 2019 is a year of concentration but with very good acidity, and the wine shows the good Priorat (even if it's from Montsant!)—warm and ripe with careful extraction. The wine expresses a typical vintage in balance, showing the power the zone delivers. It's a very complete wine, still young and a little closed, a year like 2016 or 2013, that will grow with time in bottle. 12,000 bottles produced.
The 2019s from Clos Mogador are some of the best wines they have ever produced. They now include Com Tu from Montsant as their La Figuera village wine.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
93
Drinking Window
2023 - 2032
From: Mediterranean Spain: Where to Start? (Mar 2021)
Saturated ruby. Intense dark berry, cherry pit and floral pastille aromas are complicated by suggestions of licorice and smoky minerals. Sappy and concentrated on the palate, offering vibrant bitter cherry, black raspberry and candied violet flavors that show strong, spicy back-end cut. Youthfully gripping tannins come in slowly on the persistent finish, which features lingering mineral and spice flourishes.
- By Josh Raynolds on January 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
In the heart of Priorat, Clos Mogador grew into one of Spain’s most influential wineries, led by the Barbier family and their unique vision.
The history of Clos Mogador
Clos Mogador is inseparably linked to the revival of Priorat in the 1980s. Until then, the region was almost forgotten. Old terraces lay abandoned and production was small and local. René Barbier, from a Catalan-French winemaking family, saw potential here. Together with a small group of pioneers, he decided to plant vines on these rugged slate soils. It was a bold step, as the conditions were harsh and yields were low. Yet this proved to be the key to quality. Their joint wines gained international recognition in a short time and Priorat once again became a name in the wine world.
From the very beginning, Clos Mogador was one of the leading examples. While many other wine regions chose large-scale production, Barbier opted for small-scale, focused and distinctive winemaking. The first vintages were immediately a statement: this is wine with character, unwilling to compromise.
The Barbier family
The story of Clos Mogador is also a family story. René Barbier and his wife Isabel Meyer built the estate step by step, often with limited resources but always with vision. Their son, René Barbier Meyer, literally grew up among the barrels and has since become the driving force in the cellar. He combines the knowledge of his parents with a contemporary approach. His sister, Christian, and other family members are also involved. This makes Clos Mogador not an anonymous project, but a family estate where tradition and renewal go hand in hand.
What makes this family so interesting is the combination of Catalan determination and French finesse. Barbier senior brought his European background with him, but always felt deeply connected to Priorat and Catalan culture. That mix can be tasted in the wines: classic in structure, modern in energy.
About René Barbier
René Barbier Sr. was born in 1950 in Tarragona and is a direct descendant of French winemakers with roots going back to the 1200s. Like his ancestors, he has spent his entire life in the wine world. Trained at the most prestigious wine schools in Bordeaux, Burgundy and Limoux, he also worked in renowned wineries such as Moueix, the makers of Petrus.
René Barbier is considered the father of "Modern Priorat," an era that began in the late 1980s and crystallized in the "Clos" movement. He was the first to truly believe in the potential of the area to produce world-class wines. Barbier was a visionary who brought together a group of friends and motivated them to follow a dream, take on an adventure, and create a new lifestyle. This family winery, where two generations currently work side by side, was founded in 1979 in Gratallops. Their Clos Mogador is the symbol of a revolution, the pure expression of Priorat terroir, and one of the most respected wines in Spain.
The origins of this vineyard go back to Roman times. The vines benefit from an exceptional microclimate because they are surrounded by mountains reaching 1,200 meters above sea level. Clos Mogador is an immense amphitheater of crumbling slate (licorella), bathed by the Siurana River, rich in history and Moorish legends. René was born in 1950 in Tarragona and is a direct descendant of French winemakers whose roots go back to the 1200s. Like his ancestors, he has spent his whole life in wine. Trained in the most prestigious wine schools of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Limoux, he also worked in renowned wineries such as Moueix, the makers of Petrus. His reach in the wine world and experience extends from vineyards to wine marketing and especially to the part where his own wines are made. In 1979 he acquired his first vineyard in Priorat and began producing his first wine in the region: Clos Mogador. Later came Nelin, Manyetes and Espectacle del Montsant.
The location in Priorat
Gratallops, the village where Clos Mogador is located, forms the heart of Priorat. The landscape is spectacular and unforgiving: steep slopes, narrow terraces and winding rivers that cut through the region. The key element is the soil. The famous llicorella, a mix of dark slate and quartz, gives the wines their recognizable minerality and power. This soil forces the vines to root deeply in search of water and nutrients. The result: grapes with concentration and tension.
The climate in Priorat is dry and sunny, with hot summers. However, altitude differences and the cooling garbinada wind provide much-needed freshness. Nights are cool, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and retain their acidity. This contrast between heat and coolness gives the wines their balance.
Vineyards and grapes
Clos Mogador works with vineyards that vary in age and location. Some vines are over 80 years old and produce grapes of exceptional quality. The core varieties are Garnacha and Cariñena, typical of Priorat. In addition, they use Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon for extra depth. The vineyards are spread across small plots that can only be worked by hand. Machines have no chance here; it is pure manual labor.
Organic and biodynamic principles play an increasingly important role. No pesticides, but natural solutions. No artificial fertilizers, but compost and green manures. Biodiversity is high, with olive trees, herbs and shrubs growing between the vines. This creates balance in the vineyard and healthy grapes that require little correction in the cellar.
The wines of Clos Mogador
The signature wine is Clos Mogador itself. This blend of Garnacha, Cariñena, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is considered one of the benchmarks of Priorat. It is known for its power, depth and longevity. Enthusiasts easily age the wine for ten to twenty years. Each vintage is different, but the style is recognizable: intense, complex and with a vibrant minerality from the llicorella soils.
In addition, the family makes several other wines:
- Manyetes: a pure expression of Cariñena from a special plot. Firm, dark and yet refined.
- Nelin: a white Priorat, made from Garnacha Blanca and other local grapes. Aging in wooden barrels and amphorae gives it depth and originality.
- Com Tu: a red wine from Montsant, produced by René Barbier junior and his wife. It is a tribute to diversity and equality, with an approachable style.
Each wine shows that Clos Mogador does not stand still. The estate continues to experiment, but always with respect for the origin and the identity of Priorat.
Interesting facts
- - Clos Mogador was one of the five original “Clos” that made Priorat internationally known in the 1980s.
- - The name Mogador refers to Essaouira in Morocco, a place where the Barbier family has fond memories.
- - In 2001, Clos Mogador was one of the first wines in Spain to receive the status “Vi de Finca Qualificada”: an official recognition for vineyards of exceptional quality.
- - The labels of Clos Mogador are designed by family members and friends, giving each vintage a personal touch.
- - The estate welcomes wine lovers from all over the world every year, b