I fell in love with Spanish wines many years ago, but more especially with the Catalan wines. I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to taste some wonderful gems and discovered some incredible local varietals and truly dedicated producers, especially Clos Mogador.
The whole exciting story of the birth and continuous growth in worldwide prestige and respect is down to the fact that René and Isabelle Barbier had a dream of what they wanted to achieve. Many people have dreams but not everyone has the conviction and determination to make them happen –Isabelle and René did- and later on with their sons René Jr. and Christian– and thank goodness for that!
When I arrived in UK in 1996, Clos Mogador was introduced to me as the finest Spanish red wine. I bought some over the years and kept (by accident) a case of 1998. When I opened a bottle last Christmas - mainly through curiosity - my jaw dropped and my eyes opened wide! I was stunned by the freshness and youthfulness of this wine.
The 2017 Clos Mogador is a coupage of 46% Garnacha, 29% Cariñena, 15% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on exposed slate terraces which give the wine that renowned pure minerality for which Priorat is famed and which René father and son’s vinification techniques bring to perfection. I have yet to find a wine that encapsulates a “terroir” so perfectly with that subtle fusion of fruits and nature.
The dense purply black colour of this vintage heralds an impressive bouquet which combines spiciness, smokiness and herbs with a nice touch of toast. In the mouth all these impressions are intensified with multiple layers of coffee aromas, chocolate, liquorice and ripe, generous fruit. The silky yet persistent tannins are accompanied with a refreshing acidity. The retro-nasal qualities are powerful and seem to go on for ever.
As the wine evolves constantly, it is essential that the wine is decanted and that a superior glass be used to enjoy this exceptional wine. I shall be keeping my allocation in my cellar for at least 8 years and would recommend that this is the minimum period for cellarage in order to enjoy this wine at its prime. I wonder whether I will be able to wait that long…..!!
René et Isabelle – Chapeau!
For the first time in our country, Clos Mogador, one of the prestigious wines made by René Barbier in the D.O.Ca. Priorat, was awarded the prestigious qualification of «Vi de Finca».
“Vi de Finca” is an additional qualification to the D.O.Ca. Priorat certification, which already recognizes this wine. Clos Mogador was the first wine to receive this prestigious qualification in the whole of Spain. It certifies that all grapes used to make this wine over at least the last five years have been sourced from the Clos Mogador single vineyard (five years which can be documented and traced), and at the same time is awarded to a wine which has received international acclaim over at least the last ten years.
2017
Certificat Vi de Finca
