2008 Clos Mogador

Absolutely stunning and tasting like a top flight Bordeaux, the 2008 Clos Mogador Priorat, a blend of 40% Garnacha, 20% Carinena, and the balance a mix of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon that’s aged in 500 liter new French oak casks, shows a classic array of black currant, tobacco, spice, smoke, and serious minerality. This flows to a full-bodied, seriously structured Priorat that has a rich, full texture, loads of concentration, and masses of ripe tannin that build through the mid-palate and frame the finish beautifully. In need of a solid 3-4 years in the cellar, this is a serious Priorat and has upwards of 15+ years of longevity.

Opaque purple. Explosive aromas of red and dark berry preserves, cola, incense and potpourri, with smoke and mineral overtones. Deeply pitched black raspberry and cherry flavors show striking clarity and power, with a zesty mineral quality adding lift and cut. Manages to be both powerful and lithe, and finishes with outstanding thrust and mineral-driven persistence. I've found recent vintages of this wine to be more delineated and agile than those of the early 2000s.

Three recent vintages bought us up to date. The 2008 Clos Mogador has a very fine bouquet of blackberry, blueberry and violet with great delineation and poise. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy, coarse tannins that neatly juxtapose the core of sweet dark fruit. With impressive tension and poise, this is an excellent Priorat for long-term aging. Drink 2014-2022+. ||Clos Mogador needs no introduction. Rene Barbier was a pupil of Jean-Claude Berrouet and is one of the “founding fathers” in Priorat as part of the “Gratallops group.” I met him for the first time at his home, located at the bottom of a never-ending winding dirt track and surrounded by vines. He was accompanied by his wife and energetic son, also named Rene and married to Sara Perez (see Mas Martinet.) Their 20-hectare dry farmed, vineyard is located on schistous slate and quartz soil (llicorella) and planted with 40% Garnacha (80-year-old vines) , 20% Carinena, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah. The wine is raised in Nevers and Allier oak with minimal intervention. Wine Advocate.April, 2012