Nestled in the picturesque village of Gratallops, Clos Mogador is a beacon of excellence in the Priorat wine region, renowned for its intense and beautifully crafted wines. Founded by René Barbier in the 1970s, this esteemed winery has gained a cult status. René, along with other pioneering winemakers like Carles Pastrana, Alvaro Palacios, and José Lluis Perez, is one of the "founding fathers" of Priorat’s resurgence, bringing this historic region back into the global spotlight.
Vineyard and Winemaking:
Clos Mogador's vineyards are a testament to the harmony between nature and traditional winemaking. Situated at an altitude of 800 meters, the vineyards resemble an amphitheatre with stone terraces, fostering a unique microclimate perfect for grape cultivation. The slate-rich soils and significant temperature fluctuations between day and night contribute to the exceptional quality and concentration of the wines. Practising biodynamic viticulture, René and his team ensure that each grape is nurtured with respect for the environment, with all work done by hand to preserve the integrity of the land.
The Legacy of Clos Mogador:
The story of Clos Mogador is not just about making wine; it’s about family, tradition, and a deep connection to the land. From the scent of wild rosemary, thyme, and lavender to the vibrant wildlife that inhabits the vineyards, every aspect of the estate is imbued with a sense of place and history. Whether it’s the 120-year-old vines in La Figuera producing the famed Espectacle wine or the artisanal pressing methods that enhance concentration, each bottle of Clos Mogador tells a story of passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Join us in celebrating this iconic winery and experience the magic of Priorat in every sip.
Recent Awards:
We're thrilled to share that the latest releases from Clos Mogador have received exceptional scores from renowned wine critic Robert Parker. These high ratings highlight the extraordinary quality and craftsmanship of our wines, solidifying Clos Mogador’s status as a benchmark in the Priorat region.
2021 Clos Mogador Manyetes Vi de Vila Gratallops
96 Punten - The Wine Advocate
"The red 2021 Manyetes has less alcohol than any other vintage, 13.5% on the label. This is a wine from an extremely warm vineyard, where they harvested earlier (they picked over two passes) and managed to avoid the notes of over-ripeness by using crunchy grapes with lots of energy. This year, they did a big change to preserve the freshness while keeping the black slate character from Cariñena in Priorat, doing a softer vinification, with some 30% full clusters, which is increased in the following years. It has notes of blood, iron and soil and is balanced while keeping the personality. There is a note of freshness, reminiscent of tomato vine, that emerges with time in the glass. One-third of the wine matured in amphorae and the rest in an old foudre, so there's hardly any impact of the oak in the wine. In 2018, it was in barrique, then they moved to foudre, and in 2021, part was unoaked. A new Manyetes."
2021 Clos Mogador Nelin Blanco
96 Punten - The Wine Advocate
"Marking the 20th anniversary of this white wine, the 2021 Nelin was produced with Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Xarel.lo and Picapoll white and Cariñena Blanca—in the future, there will be more and more of the last two varieties in the blend, a big change from the beginning. Produced with the juice from the direct pressing, the wine spent one year in oak and six months in tank. It's balsamic, eminently Mediterranean and ripe, with 14% alcohol (a little lower through the change of varieties) and notes of hay and straw, aromatic herbs and waxy apples. It has volume and density but with the freshness from a cooler year. It's approachable but should develop a lot more complexity with time in bottle. They planted three new hectares of white grapes, so volumes will grow in future years. 10,000 bottles."
2021 Clos Mogador Gratallops Rosat
94 Punten - The Wine Advocate
"The rosé 2021 Gratallops Vi de Villa Rosat was produced with a majority (70% to 80%) in the Planassos part between Mogador and Manyetes of Garnacha, Macabeo and Cariñena plus the grapes from younger vines (Mogador, Nelin...). It has a bright salmon color and a very different and characterful nose, savory, reminiscent of chicken broth (salty!), herbal and super tasty. It's quite direct, with 13.5% alcohol and very good freshness, a bit atypical for Priorat, very long, precise, clean and dry. This matured in a 2,000-liter 10-year-old oak foudre for 18 months. They produced some 3,000 bottles. Brilliant!"