Clos Mogador is an important winery in the grand scheme of Spanish wines, and it helped put the region of Priorat (about an hour and a half from Barcelona) on the world's wine map.  It was one of the pioneers of the Spanish wine revolution that has turned the Spanish wine industry upside down.  It's first vintage was 1989.  A lot of modern winemaking techinques were used here early on, and such techniques have now spread through much of Spain's more backwards wine estates.  Many people lament the new world influence on these old world regions, whereas others hail these developments as long overdue.  Although the blend may change some from year to year, Clos Mogador is generally a mix of about half Granache, and half Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.  There is also a little Mourvedre, Merlot, and a touch of Pinot Noir thrown in.  Obviously, these are not the indigenous grape varieties of the region.  Clos Mogador is adored by many American wine critics, but personally, I still prefer a nice traditional well made Rioja over most of the modernistic Priorat wines out there.  The 1997 Clos Mogador is at it's peak of maturity.  The wine drank well upon opening it, but the fruit faded over several hours, and the remainder of the wine that was drank the following day seemed too herbal, having lost it's fruit focus overnight.  This implies to me that the wine should not be aged too much longer.

When the wine was first opened, the nose was a little soft, but the wine had plenty of blackberry/black currant flavor and soft, nicely integrated tannin.

I give it 3.25-3.5 stars.  I know many of you will scream that this score is too low, but I stick with my rating.

 

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