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Clos Mogador Winery Guide

Cellar Tours Insight — Since 2003, Cellar Tours has planned private wine journeys through the world’s leading wine regions, pairing tailor-made itineraries with VIP winery visits, fine dining, and expert regional guidance.

Winery Overview

René Barbier, along with Carles Pastrana of Clos de l’Obac, Álvaro Palacios, Josep Lluís Pérez of Clos Martinet and Daphne Glorian of Clos Erasmus, were pivotal figures in Priorat’s modern revival. Notably, René Barbier Ferrer bought his first polyculture estate in Gratallops in 1978, and the first Clos Mogador followed in 1989. As a result, the wines produced by Clos Mogador have attained legendary status, much like Italy’s Sassicaia and Bordeaux’s Château Margaux, making them genuinely iconic on the world stage.

One of the fascinating aspects of winemaking at Clos Mogador is René’s unique method of pressing grapes using an olive press. This distinctive approach has been reported to extract less juice than a conventional wine press, contributing to the extraordinary concentration of the wine. Given that Priorat wines are already renowned for their intensity, and the region’s yields are exceptionally low compared to other Spanish wine regions such as La Rioja, the wines of Clos Mogador can be considered nearly elixirs. Notably, the influential wine critic Robert Parker was an early international supporter of the estate, with the winery’s own archive recording his ratings from the 1992 vintage onward. While there is now friendly competition from other emerging wineries in Priorat, Clos Mogador remains at the pinnacle of the Prestige Pyramid, alongside L’Ermita, Clos de l’Obac, and Clos Erasmus.

When exploring the enchanting wine region of Priorat, it’s easy to overlook the fame of its wines and winemakers. However, those who have the opportunity to experience this beautiful region will be captivated by its stunning landscapes, including mountains, wildflowers, vineyards, gourmet restaurants, and medieval villages.

Priorat Wine Tour

Priorat Wine Tour

Discover Priorat on a private, chauffeured wine tour, with carefully arranged visits to leading estates, dramatic vineyard scenery, and time to enjoy the region at a relaxed pace.

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Further Reading

Author

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With a passion for food & drink that verges on the obsessive, wine writer James Lawrence has traveled the world in search of the perfect tipple. To date, nothing has surpassed the 1952 R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Rioja Reserva, tasted in the cobweb-filled cellars with owner María José. Meanwhile, James has written for a wide variety of publications, including The Telegraph, Decanter, Harpers Wine & Spirit, The Drinks Business, and Wine Business International. He lives in South Wales and returns to his former university city, Bilbao, as much as possible.

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