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2021 Clos Mogador Magnum
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | |
| Appellation | Priorat (Appellation) |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Content (Alc) | 1.5 ltr (14%) |
| Drink window | 2025 - 2036 |
165.95
Excl. Tax:
137.15
Excl. Tax:
Excl. Tax:
In stock
11 items available
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Description
We don't really need to say much about iconic winemaker René Barbier. His Clos Mogador is perhaps the most famous Priorat wine. It's an organically grown, full-bodied, deep red wine and among the absolute best from the Priorat. The Clos Mogador is full of ripe black fruit, herbs, minerals, coffee, truffles, beautiful tannins, and a very impressive finish. The Clos Mogador is a blend of Garnacha, Cariñena, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon . The grapes are harvested over a two-month period, as they don't all ripen simultaneously. The grapes are grown biodynamically, with care and respect for the plant and its natural conditions, and all work in the fields is carried out by hand.
The grapes come from vineyards on slate terraces, which give the wine that famously pure minerality for which Priorat is renowned. The slate-grown grapes, the biodynamic cultivation of Clos Mogador, and the Barbiers' vinification techniques are recognized worldwide as the perfect example of how to create a wine that perfectly encapsulates a terroir with that subtle fusion of fruit and nature.
The dense, purple-black color of this vintage heralds an impressive bouquet that combines spice, smokiness, and herbs with a lovely hint of toast. On the palate, all these impressions are enhanced by multiple layers of coffee aromas, chocolate, licorice, and ripe, generous fruit. The silky yet persistent tannins are paired with a refreshing acidity . In our opinion, this is a wine that should not be missing from any fine wine collection, and compared to top French or Italian wines, it is still relatively inexpensive. Definitely decant it in its younger years, as this is a wine known to improve for many years to come and has a drinking window until 2035+. This is a 1.5-liter magnum in a wooden box. Even more delicious with a longer drinking window.
The 2021 vintage is a relatively fresh vintage that yields a wine with an unusual continental character in the Priorat region. René's desire over the years has been to vinify fresher wines, with much less oak impact, and with more prominence of Grenache and Carignan, all so we can enjoy a wine that is simultaneously purer, more concentrated, and more subtle. This Clos Mogador 2021 is pure delicacy on the nose. The fruit is fresh, the aromatic Mediterranean herbs refined. The palate, on the other hand, is deep, with a satiny texture and a measured grip. A rarity that excites from the start, merely a prelude to the magnitude it will achieve. The 2021 vintage is once again very limited. The 2021 vintage is a blend of 45% Garnatxa, 29% Carinyena, 16% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
For the first time in Spain, Clos Mogador, one of the prestigious wines made by René Barbier in the DOCa Priorat, has been awarded the prestigious "Vi de Finca" designation. "Vi de Finca" is an additional designation to the DOCa Priorat certification, which already recognizes this wine. Clos Mogador was the first wine to receive this prestigious designation in all of Spain. It certifies that all the grapes used to make this wine have come from Clos Mogador's single vineyard for at least the past five years (five years that can be documented and traced), and is simultaneously awarded to a wine that has enjoyed international renown for more than ten years.
FACT: The grapes are pressed using an olive oil press, which only extracts half the grape juice (unlike a conventional press), but this is the most beautiful part, making the wine 50% more concentrated. In the "Attachments" tab, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount . You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pickup" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht with ample parking. Click here for our address.
René Barbier, along with Carles Pastrana of 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), is 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 legendary, like those of Sassicaia from Italy and Château Margaux from France. Clos Mogador has achieved cult status as a major world wine. A unique feature of René Barbier's winemaking: he presses the grapes using an olive oil press, which yields only half the grape juice (unlike a conventional press). This makes the wine 50% more concentrated and makes it almost liqueur-like in the glass. Priorat wines are naturally quite concentrated, and yields are typically microscopic. Robert Parker was one of the first international journalists to give Clos Mogador wines extra praise. And now, the wines of Rene Barbier and Sara Perez (Rene's wife) are household names.
In addition to Clos Mogador, his wife, the renowned winemaker Sara Pérez, produces wines in Montsant (the region surrounding the Priorat) from the La Universal and Mas Martinet wineries. These wines, such as Clos Martinet, Venus, and Dido, are now among Spain's finest.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Catalunya |
| Appellation | Priorat (Appellation) |
| Winery | Clos Mogador |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2025 |
| Drinking till | 2036 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 1.5 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 98 |
| James Suckling rating | 97 |
| Vinous rating | 97 |
Professional Reviews
Parker
98
The Wine Advocate
RP 98
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$100
Drink Date:
2025 - 2036
The eponymous red 2021 Clos Mogador fermented with some 30% full clusters trying to give it more freshness (but without noticing the stems) with a long maceration (40 to 50 days) and (almost) no punching down, with less extraction. There's been a progressive change in the vineyard (they removed the south-facing Cabernet Sauvignon), and they increased Cariñena (around 30%), which in the future will be almost as much as Garnacha. It has aromatic complexity and a beautiful texture. It matured in 2,000-liter oak foudres and a small part in barrel and later in concrete. The wine has 14% alcohol and has the Priorat, Mogador and Mediterranean character (wet slate, graphite, aromatic herbs) with more elegance and freshness. The tannins are also a lot more elegant, and the wine comes through as very balanced. They produced 35,000 bottles of this. It was bottled in June 2023.
There is a new wine from Clos Mogador... a rosé! A village wine from Gratallops that complements another village red from La Figuera (Com Tu).
Published: May 16, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
97
Score
97
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 90
Clos Mogador Priorat Gratallops 2021
Monday, Aug 21, 2023
Color
Red
Country
Spain
Region
Cataluña
Vintage
2021
A beautiful, fresh red with lots of vibrancy. Mineral, flint, freshly crushed blueberries and red berries. Juicy, polished tannins with a little more crunch to the fruit this year. Has a nice firmness compared with the sweeter tannins in 2020. Really fluid, bright and vivid. Long. Drink or hold.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
97
97
Drinking Window
2025 - 2036
From: From Revolution to Evolution: The Garnatxas and Cariñenas of Priorat & Montsant (Nov 2024)
The 2021 Clos Mogador comprises 45% Garnatxa, 29% Carinyena, 16% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented with 30% whole clusters and aged for 18 months in foudres. Garnet in color, it features liqueur-like aromas of blackcurrant and plum, along with earthy notes and hints of iron and blood. Dry and compact, it flows with fine-grained tannins, a dusty texture and a juicy, flavorful mouthfeel. The finish is exceptionally long, with nuanced complexity. This is one of those rare wines that can shift one's perception of what’s possible in the Priorat region. Clos Mogador is one of the few wineries that put Priorat on the fine wine map in the early 1990s, and the 2021 vintage is yet another example that justifies that recognition.
- By Joaquín Hidalgo on November 2024
Founded by René Barbier in 1979, Clos Mogador is one of the five famous wineries that reinvented Priorat in the 1990s. René Barbier Jr. now runs the daily operations, overseeing both oenology and viticulture. Possessing an excellent understanding of the extreme conditions in Priorat, Barbier Jr. focuses on Garnatxa and Cariñena, aiming to bring out the purest possible expression of the region and working to revive long-suffering vineyards, such as Manyetas, Almendros and the stunning Espectacle. Barbier doesn’t like fruitiness, equating it to “the ketchup of wine, ” but he produces vivid expressions of the regional terroir, imbued with the subtle, painstakingly polished textures that are his true love. A far cry from the concentrated styles of yesteryear, these wines have the strange magic one finds in Priorat: weightless concentration, complex, ripe expressions, freshness and a free-flowing spirit. As Barbier Jr. says, “In Priorat, we make wines of character. If you want elegance, go to Burgundy.”
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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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
We don't really need to say much about iconic winemaker René Barbier. His Clos Mogador is perhaps the most famous Priorat wine. It's an organically grown, full-bodied, deep red wine and among the absolute best from the Priorat. The Clos Mogador is full of ripe black fruit, herbs, minerals, coffee, truffles, beautiful tannins, and a very impressive finish. The Clos Mogador is a blend of Garnacha, Cariñena, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon . The grapes are harvested over a two-month period, as they don't all ripen simultaneously. The grapes are grown biodynamically, with care and respect for the plant and its natural conditions, and all work in the fields is carried out by hand.
The grapes come from vineyards on slate terraces, which give the wine that famously pure minerality for which Priorat is renowned. The slate-grown grapes, the biodynamic cultivation of Clos Mogador, and the Barbiers' vinification techniques are recognized worldwide as the perfect example of how to create a wine that perfectly encapsulates a terroir with that subtle fusion of fruit and nature.
The dense, purple-black color of this vintage heralds an impressive bouquet that combines spice, smokiness, and herbs with a lovely hint of toast. On the palate, all these impressions are enhanced by multiple layers of coffee aromas, chocolate, licorice, and ripe, generous fruit. The silky yet persistent tannins are paired with a refreshing acidity . In our opinion, this is a wine that should not be missing from any fine wine collection, and compared to top French or Italian wines, it is still relatively inexpensive. Definitely decant it in its younger years, as this is a wine known to improve for many years to come and has a drinking window until 2035+. This is a 1.5-liter magnum in a wooden box. Even more delicious with a longer drinking window.
The 2021 vintage is a relatively fresh vintage that yields a wine with an unusual continental character in the Priorat region. René's desire over the years has been to vinify fresher wines, with much less oak impact, and with more prominence of Grenache and Carignan, all so we can enjoy a wine that is simultaneously purer, more concentrated, and more subtle. This Clos Mogador 2021 is pure delicacy on the nose. The fruit is fresh, the aromatic Mediterranean herbs refined. The palate, on the other hand, is deep, with a satiny texture and a measured grip. A rarity that excites from the start, merely a prelude to the magnitude it will achieve. The 2021 vintage is once again very limited. The 2021 vintage is a blend of 45% Garnatxa, 29% Carinyena, 16% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
For the first time in Spain, Clos Mogador, one of the prestigious wines made by René Barbier in the DOCa Priorat, has been awarded the prestigious "Vi de Finca" designation. "Vi de Finca" is an additional designation to the DOCa Priorat certification, which already recognizes this wine. Clos Mogador was the first wine to receive this prestigious designation in all of Spain. It certifies that all the grapes used to make this wine have come from Clos Mogador's single vineyard for at least the past five years (five years that can be documented and traced), and is simultaneously awarded to a wine that has enjoyed international renown for more than ten years.
FACT: The grapes are pressed using an olive oil press, which only extracts half the grape juice (unlike a conventional press), but this is the most beautiful part, making the wine 50% more concentrated. In the "Attachments" tab, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount . You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pickup" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht with ample parking. Click here for our address.
René Barbier, along with Carles Pastrana of 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), is 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 legendary, like those of Sassicaia from Italy and Château Margaux from France. Clos Mogador has achieved cult status as a major world wine. A unique feature of René Barbier's winemaking: he presses the grapes using an olive oil press, which yields only half the grape juice (unlike a conventional press). This makes the wine 50% more concentrated and makes it almost liqueur-like in the glass. Priorat wines are naturally quite concentrated, and yields are typically microscopic. Robert Parker was one of the first international journalists to give Clos Mogador wines extra praise. And now, the wines of Rene Barbier and Sara Perez (Rene's wife) are household names.
In addition to Clos Mogador, his wife, the renowned winemaker Sara Pérez, produces wines in Montsant (the region surrounding the Priorat) from the La Universal and Mas Martinet wineries. These wines, such as Clos Martinet, Venus, and Dido, are now among Spain's finest.
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Catalunya |
| Appellation | Priorat (Appellation) |
| Winery | Clos Mogador |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2025 |
| Drinking till | 2036 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 1.5 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 98 |
| James Suckling rating | 97 |
| Vinous rating | 97 |
Parker
98
The Wine Advocate
RP 98
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$100
Drink Date:
2025 - 2036
The eponymous red 2021 Clos Mogador fermented with some 30% full clusters trying to give it more freshness (but without noticing the stems) with a long maceration (40 to 50 days) and (almost) no punching down, with less extraction. There's been a progressive change in the vineyard (they removed the south-facing Cabernet Sauvignon), and they increased Cariñena (around 30%), which in the future will be almost as much as Garnacha. It has aromatic complexity and a beautiful texture. It matured in 2,000-liter oak foudres and a small part in barrel and later in concrete. The wine has 14% alcohol and has the Priorat, Mogador and Mediterranean character (wet slate, graphite, aromatic herbs) with more elegance and freshness. The tannins are also a lot more elegant, and the wine comes through as very balanced. They produced 35,000 bottles of this. It was bottled in June 2023.
There is a new wine from Clos Mogador... a rosé! A village wine from Gratallops that complements another village red from La Figuera (Com Tu).
Published: May 16, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
97
Score
97
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 90
Clos Mogador Priorat Gratallops 2021
Monday, Aug 21, 2023
Color
Red
Country
Spain
Region
Cataluña
Vintage
2021
A beautiful, fresh red with lots of vibrancy. Mineral, flint, freshly crushed blueberries and red berries. Juicy, polished tannins with a little more crunch to the fruit this year. Has a nice firmness compared with the sweeter tannins in 2020. Really fluid, bright and vivid. Long. Drink or hold.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
97
97
Drinking Window
2025 - 2036
From: From Revolution to Evolution: The Garnatxas and Cariñenas of Priorat & Montsant (Nov 2024)
The 2021 Clos Mogador comprises 45% Garnatxa, 29% Carinyena, 16% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented with 30% whole clusters and aged for 18 months in foudres. Garnet in color, it features liqueur-like aromas of blackcurrant and plum, along with earthy notes and hints of iron and blood. Dry and compact, it flows with fine-grained tannins, a dusty texture and a juicy, flavorful mouthfeel. The finish is exceptionally long, with nuanced complexity. This is one of those rare wines that can shift one's perception of what’s possible in the Priorat region. Clos Mogador is one of the few wineries that put Priorat on the fine wine map in the early 1990s, and the 2021 vintage is yet another example that justifies that recognition.
- By Joaquín Hidalgo on November 2024
Founded by René Barbier in 1979, Clos Mogador is one of the five famous wineries that reinvented Priorat in the 1990s. René Barbier Jr. now runs the daily operations, overseeing both oenology and viticulture. Possessing an excellent understanding of the extreme conditions in Priorat, Barbier Jr. focuses on Garnatxa and Cariñena, aiming to bring out the purest possible expression of the region and working to revive long-suffering vineyards, such as Manyetas, Almendros and the stunning Espectacle. Barbier doesn’t like fruitiness, equating it to “the ketchup of wine, ” but he produces vivid expressions of the regional terroir, imbued with the subtle, painstakingly polished textures that are his true love. A far cry from the concentrated styles of yesteryear, these wines have the strange magic one finds in Priorat: weightless concentration, complex, ripe expressions, freshness and a free-flowing spirit. As Barbier Jr. says, “In Priorat, we make wines of character. If you want elegance, go to Burgundy.”
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