2010 Clos Mogador Priorat

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.