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| Clos Mogador | |
|---|---|
| Name | Clos Mogador |
| Location | Gratallops, Priorat, Catalonia, Spain |
| Appellation | Priorat DOQ |
| Established | 1979 |
| Founders | René Barbier |
| Varietals | Garnacha, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot |
Clos Mogador Clos Mogador is a historic winery and estate in Gratallops, within the Priorat DOQ of Catalonia, Spain. Founded in the late 20th century by René Barbier and partners, the estate became a leading proponent of the modern Priorat wine renaissance alongside estates such as Alvaro Palacios and Scala Dei. Clos Mogador's single-vineyard approach and emphasis on old vine Garnacha and Carignan have influenced Spanish wine production, regional appellation rules, and international wine criticism by figures like Robert Parker and publications such as Wine Spectator.
Clos Mogador's origins trace to the collaboration of René Barbier with local growers and families in Gratallops and neighboring villages such as Porrera, La Vilella Alta, and La Morera de Montsant. The estate emerged during the so-called "Nueva Priorat" movement of the 1980s and 1990s that included winemakers like Alvaro Palacios, Dominio de la Vega, and Mas Doix. Influences on Clos Mogador included traditional Catalan viticulture from Institut Agrícola Català de Sant Isidre sources and modern oenology practices propagated through exchanges with Bordeaux consultants and Rhône Valley winemakers. The winery's development paralleled institutional changes such as the granting of Denominació d'Origen Qualificada status to Priorat DOQ and wider Spanish wine reforms overseen by bodies like Consejo Regulador de la DOQ Priorat.
Clos Mogador farms steep terraces on llicorella slate soils characteristic of Priorat, interspersed with slate outcrops and schist near the Siurana River basin and Montsant massif. Vineyard parcels are located across microclimates in Gratallops, Porrera, Escaladei, and Bellmunt del Priorat, with elevations interacting with Mediterranean influences from Cap de Creus and continental patterns from the Pyrenees. The estate emphasizes low-yield old vines, including centennial Garnacha and Carignan plantings, alongside introduced varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah adapted through clonal selection informed by research at institutions such as Universitat Rovira i Virgili. Soil composition and slope influence vine stress and phenolic ripeness, a focus shared with neighboring estates like Mas Martinet and historical sites such as Cartoixa d'Escaladei.
Clos Mogador practices traditional hand-harvesting and small-batch vinification in a cellar equipped with temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete vessels, combined with oak maturation using barrels sourced from cooperages like François Frères and Boutes. Fermentation regimes and micro-oxygenation protocols reflect techniques observed in Bordeaux and the Rhone wine region, while malolactic fermentation management is informed by research disseminated through organizations such as Instituto de la Viña y el Vino. Winemakers at Clos Mogador employ extended maceration, wild and selected yeast fermentations, and rack-and-return procedures analogous to methods used by producers like Vega Sicilia and Pingus. Production volumes vary annually with vintage conditions influenced by climatic events recorded by agencies like AEMET.
Clos Mogador's core bottlings include single-estate red wines made primarily from Garnacha and Carignan blends with supporting varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Their portfolio has expanded to include specific single-vineyard cuvées and reserve bottlings aged in new and used oak, following labeling practices regulated by the Consejo Regulador de la DOQ Priorat. Labels incorporate Catalan language elements and estate iconography referencing the region's heritage, akin to thematic presentation used by estates such as Alvaro Palacios and Scala Dei. Vintage variation and vineyard selection influence designations comparable to cru systems seen in Bordeaux appellations and quality classifications promoted by critics like Jancis Robinson.
Clos Mogador has received high scores and awards from international critics and competitions, garnering acclaim in publications such as Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Decanter, and evaluations by Jancis Robinson. The estate's wines have featured in lists compiled by institutions like The Wine Advocate and have been compared with benchmark Spanish producers including Vega Sicilia, Pingus, and Alvaro Palacios. Recognition at events such as Vinalies Internationales and inclusion in auction catalogs like those of Sotheby's reflect its market prestige. Academic studies at entities like Institut Català de la Vinya i del Vi have cited Clos Mogador in analyses of Priorat's oenological evolution.
The Clos Mogador estate offers cellar visits, tastings, and guided vineyard tours for enotourism visitors arriving via regional hubs such as Tarragona, Barcelona, and Reus Airport. Visitor programs reference local heritage sites including Cartoixa d'Escaladei and cultural festivals in Gratallops and Ferran (Priorat). Accommodation and rural tourism in the Priorat region connect guests with gastronomy highlighted in guides by Michelin Guide and regional culinary promoters like Slow Food. Estate facilities integrate sustainable practices aligned with Catalan environmental initiatives promoted by organizations such as Departament d'Agricultura de la Generalitat de Catalunya and local cooperatives.
Category:Wineries in Catalonia Category:Priorat DOQ