2020 Clos Mogador Com Tu
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | |
| Appellation | Montsant (Appellation) |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (15%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2032 |
In stock
24 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 approximately 550 to 600 meters altitude near the Espectacle vineyard with a total of only approximately 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 vintage and immediately receives high reviews, but anyway, 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 native 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, berries, orange peel, licorice and violets. This perfect interplay 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 hot at a young age, but has immense potential. The taste is more lively and will improve further with time. Com Tu is, next to the Espetacle, one of the names to see in Montsant.
Com tu? by the way, means: I am like you (Com tú), you are like me. It is a mix between the Barbier philosophy and Rene Barbier Sr's son who is adopted. It is a tribute to all people, no matter the color of their skin, their gender, what 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 within them a man and a woman of a different race, holding hands through the glasses. They need each other so that the glasses don't fall. So I see that there is no future for men without women, no future with ethnic groups being confronted; strength comes in numbers. The nose is my signature.
There is no border on the photo, this gives people the freedom to decide if it is a man or a woman. The name of the wine is written across the mouth in 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 to me). The "T" is two pencils perpendicular to each other, 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.
FACT: In the 'Attachments' tab you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will send this to you automatically when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you pick up the wine you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Collect' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
René Barbier Meyer, Clos Mogador Winery Winemaker
2 020 is a year of contrasts. A year with a very abundant rainfall at the beginning of the cycle, a gift for our country. It was also a year of learning with the appearance of fewer common diseases in our countries. We lost some blossom, but we worked hard until well into June. At the end of that month, there was a radical change in the weather, a dry and hot summer, but unlike other years, the plants did not suffer any stress and we were able to arrive at harvest time with grapes that easily reached good maturity. With all this we have achieved a pleasant, balanced wine. I hope you enjoy it.
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 started cultivating in the 1970s, in the now world-famous village of Gratallops. The wines of Clos Mogador have now become mythical wines, just like Sassicaia from Italy and Château Margaux from France. Clos Mogador has the cult status of a great world wine. A special feature in wine making at René Barbier: he presses the grapes using an olive oil press, which produces only half of the grape juice (unlike a normal press). This makes the wine 50% more concentrated and appears almost liqueur 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 the wines of Clos Mogador additional praise.
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 Sara Perez y Rene Barbier .
Technical info:
SOCIETAT COMERCIAL CLOS MOGADOR SL (1979)
Camí Manyetes, s/n. 43737 Gratallops
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: 10,800 bottles
DISTRIBUTION: International and national
APPELLATION: Montsant DO
GRAPES: Single-variety 100% Grenache SIZE OF VINEYARD: 3 Hectares
AREA: Mountain area 580/600m. above sea level
AGEING: Only native yeasts. 40% whole grape. 1 year in old 4,500 l. foudre, then 8 months in cement. Bottled in April 2022.
ETHANOL: 14.5%
VOLATILE ACIDITY: 0.75 g/l
TARTARIC ACID: 4.0 g/l
TOTAL SULPHUR DIOXIDE: 57 mg/l REDUCING SUGARS: 1.3 g/l
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 | 2020 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2032 |
| Alcohol % | 15 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 94 |
| James Suckling rating | 94 |
| 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
93
Release Price
$50
Drink Date
2022 - 2027
Reviewed by
Luis Gutiérrez
Issue Date
30th Sep 2022
Source
End of September 2022, The Wine Advocate
2020 was a very unusual year in Priorat/Montsant, rainy and warm with lots of mildew that decimated the crop, but less in the village of La Figuera than elsewhere, and here they lost around 20% of the volume. The 2020 Com Tu comes through as a little riper and with a darker profile of fruit than the 2019 despite having the same alcohol on the label (14.5%). It matured in well-seasoned 4,500-liter oak foudres even though they have already experimented with tinaja and even some glass demijohn, which will increase in 2021 (it was a small portion in 2020, but they feel it works for warmer years). The wine keeps the poise despite the difficulties from the year. 9,000 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...
James Suckling
Clos Mogador Montsant Com Tu 2020
Monday, September 18, 2023
CountrySpain
RegionCataluña
Vintage2020
CHECK PRICE
DOWNLOAD SHELFTALKER
Score
94
An intellectual garnacha that is in the league as Comando G and Terroir Al Limit. Super fresh and tangy with twists of white pepper, mezcal, red berries and chalk. Fresh, medium acidity on the palate with fine, juicy tannins. 100% garnacha. Drink now.
Zekun Shuai
Senior Editor
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
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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 approximately 550 to 600 meters altitude near the Espectacle vineyard with a total of only approximately 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 vintage and immediately receives high reviews, but anyway, 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 native 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, berries, orange peel, licorice and violets. This perfect interplay 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 hot at a young age, but has immense potential. The taste is more lively and will improve further with time. Com Tu is, next to the Espetacle, one of the names to see in Montsant.
Com tu? by the way, means: I am like you (Com tú), you are like me. It is a mix between the Barbier philosophy and Rene Barbier Sr's son who is adopted. It is a tribute to all people, no matter the color of their skin, their gender, what 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 within them a man and a woman of a different race, holding hands through the glasses. They need each other so that the glasses don't fall. So I see that there is no future for men without women, no future with ethnic groups being confronted; strength comes in numbers. The nose is my signature.
There is no border on the photo, this gives people the freedom to decide if it is a man or a woman. The name of the wine is written across the mouth in 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 to me). The "T" is two pencils perpendicular to each other, 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.
FACT: In the 'Attachments' tab you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will send this to you automatically when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you pick up the wine you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Collect' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
René Barbier Meyer, Clos Mogador Winery Winemaker
2 020 is a year of contrasts. A year with a very abundant rainfall at the beginning of the cycle, a gift for our country. It was also a year of learning with the appearance of fewer common diseases in our countries. We lost some blossom, but we worked hard until well into June. At the end of that month, there was a radical change in the weather, a dry and hot summer, but unlike other years, the plants did not suffer any stress and we were able to arrive at harvest time with grapes that easily reached good maturity. With all this we have achieved a pleasant, balanced wine. I hope you enjoy it.
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 started cultivating in the 1970s, in the now world-famous village of Gratallops. The wines of Clos Mogador have now become mythical wines, just like Sassicaia from Italy and Château Margaux from France. Clos Mogador has the cult status of a great world wine. A special feature in wine making at René Barbier: he presses the grapes using an olive oil press, which produces only half of the grape juice (unlike a normal press). This makes the wine 50% more concentrated and appears almost liqueur 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 the wines of Clos Mogador additional praise.
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 Sara Perez y Rene Barbier .
Technical info:
SOCIETAT COMERCIAL CLOS MOGADOR SL (1979)
Camí Manyetes, s/n. 43737 Gratallops
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: 10,800 bottles
DISTRIBUTION: International and national
APPELLATION: Montsant DO
GRAPES: Single-variety 100% Grenache SIZE OF VINEYARD: 3 Hectares
AREA: Mountain area 580/600m. above sea level
AGEING: Only native yeasts. 40% whole grape. 1 year in old 4,500 l. foudre, then 8 months in cement. Bottled in April 2022.
ETHANOL: 14.5%
VOLATILE ACIDITY: 0.75 g/l
TARTARIC ACID: 4.0 g/l
TOTAL SULPHUR DIOXIDE: 57 mg/l REDUCING SUGARS: 1.3 g/l
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 | 2020 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2032 |
| Alcohol % | 15 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 94 |
| James Suckling rating | 94 |
| 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
93
Release Price
$50
Drink Date
2022 - 2027
Reviewed by
Luis Gutiérrez
Issue Date
30th Sep 2022
Source
End of September 2022, The Wine Advocate
2020 was a very unusual year in Priorat/Montsant, rainy and warm with lots of mildew that decimated the crop, but less in the village of La Figuera than elsewhere, and here they lost around 20% of the volume. The 2020 Com Tu comes through as a little riper and with a darker profile of fruit than the 2019 despite having the same alcohol on the label (14.5%). It matured in well-seasoned 4,500-liter oak foudres even though they have already experimented with tinaja and even some glass demijohn, which will increase in 2021 (it was a small portion in 2020, but they feel it works for warmer years). The wine keeps the poise despite the difficulties from the year. 9,000 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...
James Suckling
Clos Mogador Montsant Com Tu 2020
Monday, September 18, 2023
CountrySpain
RegionCataluña
Vintage2020
CHECK PRICE
DOWNLOAD SHELFTALKER
Score
94
An intellectual garnacha that is in the league as Comando G and Terroir Al Limit. Super fresh and tangy with twists of white pepper, mezcal, red berries and chalk. Fresh, medium acidity on the palate with fine, juicy tannins. 100% garnacha. Drink now.
Zekun Shuai
Senior Editor
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