2021 Clos Mogador Priorat

Clos Mogador is one of the great names of Priorat—an estate that helped put the region on the world wine map. René Barbier’s approach has always been about expressing the rugged landscape with as much depth and precision as possible, and the 2021 release continues that evolution.

This vintage marks a shift, with more Cariñena in the blend and Cabernet Sauvignon being gradually phased out, allowing the wine to lean further into its Priorat roots. Fermentation with whole clusters and a gentler approach to extraction bring extra finesse, while maturation in foudre and concrete enhances purity and freshness. It’s still a powerful wine—this is Priorat, after all—but the structure is more refined, the tannins beautifully integrated, and there’s a brightness running through it that makes it incredibly compelling.

Clos Mogador has always been a benchmark for the region, and this vintage proves why. It’s rich, detailed, and built to age, yet full of life right now.

98 points
"It has aromatic complexity and a beautiful texture, maturing in 2,000-liter oak foudres with a small portion in barrel before moving to concrete. The wine has 14% alcohol and exudes the Priorat, Mogador, and Mediterranean character—wet slate, graphite, and aromatic herbs—while showing greater elegance and freshness. The tannins are notably refined, contributing to the wine’s impressive balance." 
- Luis Gutiérrez (Robert Parker Wine Advocate, 17.5.24)

98 points
"Ripe red fruits, blackberries, toast, smoke, spices, and warm earth. So alive in the glass, it continuously evolves and brightens as it opens up. Showcasing the extraordinary freshness of 2021, this is one of the best Clos Mogadors I've ever tasted." 
- Kintan Kerr (Decanter, Oct 2024)

97 points
"A beautiful, fresh red with lots of vibrancy. Mineral, flint, freshly crushed blueberries, and red berries. Juicy, polished tannins with a little more crunch to the fruit this year. It has a firmer structure compared to the sweeter tannins of the 2020 vintage. Really fluid, bright, and vivid. Long."
- Zekun Shuai (JamesSuckling.com, Aug 2023)

97 points
"This is one of those rare wines that can shift one's perception of what’s possible in Priorat. Clos Mogador was one of the pioneering wineries that put Priorat on the fine wine map in the early 1990s, and the 2021 vintage is yet another example that justifies that recognition."
- Joaquin Hidalgo (Vinous, Nov 2024)