Clos Mogador wine tasting evening in Switzerland

On Thursday November 16, 2023, 12 lucky wine enthusiasts took part in a Clos Mogador Verticale tasting with René Barbier Jr. The evening took place in two stages at the Vinothèque alfavin.ch in Lonay. During the first, we were able to discover the new 2021 vintages and a new project. The second stage was devoted to a vertical tasting of Clos Mogador.

TASTING THE WINES OF CLOS MOGADOR BY RENE BARBIER JR, Part 1:

A look back at an anthological evening in the presence of René Barbier Junior, worthy successor to his father. A first series of wines for tasting to discover the new 2021 vintage.

The 2021 vintage in Priorat and Montsant, with its continental style, will appeal for its freshness and finesse. It was an atypical year, with snow and heavy rain in the early months, allowing the vines to store up the water they needed to ripen properly. A superb vintage.

1️⃣ Rosado de Clos Mogador 2021 (Grenache Noir - Macabeu - Carignan) René presents us with his latest "project", a wine that has taken ten years to bring to fruition. A gourmet rosé with a Mediterranean accent. This blended wine has a nose of floral notes, red berries and a touch of minerality. Round on the palate, well-balanced and sustained by a good fresh structure.

2️⃣ Nelin 2021 (Grenache B. - Macabeu - Xarello - Carignan B. - Picpoul B.) An exceptional Priorat white wine that ages well over 10 years, Nelin was born in the early 2000s. A true bond between father and son, this cuvée represents the quintessence of Priorat. This 2021 develops a delicate, subtle nose of exotic fruits and a hint of toast. Supple on the palate with buttery notes, it has a pleasant finish with a hint of minerality.

3️⃣ Com Tu 2020 (Grenache Noir) Located in the municipality of La Figuera, the vines are at an altitude of 600 meters on soil composed mainly of limestone and red clay. The wine is open and pleasant, with notes of fresh red fruit and spices. Luscious on the palate, Com Tu is a juicy, fruity wine with a fresh finish.

4️⃣ Espectacle 2021 (Grenache Noir) Made from vines over a hundred years old, Espectacle 2021 shows great potential. Notes of pepper, strawberries and wild flowers on the nose, the wine offers an elegant attack on the palate. The tannins are abundant and of great finesse. Its fresh structure forms the backbone of this wine, giving it length and intense fruitiness on the finish.

5️⃣ Manyetes 2021 (Carignan) Licorice mingles here with notes of black fruits such as blackberry and blueberry. Manyetes 2021 sets the tone right from the start with a full attack. Tannins are plentiful and fleshy. The black fruit remains present and stretches through to the finish, where the tannins remain marked.

TASTING A VERTICAL CLOS MOGADOR WITH RENE BARBIER JR, Part 2:

The continuation of an exceptional evening....After a first series of wines tasted and dedicated to young vintages, it's time for a Clos Mogador vertical. A captivating flashback from 2021 to 1999.

1️⃣ Clos Mogador 2021 A gourmet vintage with notes of fresh black fruits and a spicy character. Full-bodied on the palate, with plenty of assertive tannins. Delicate acidity gives the wine balance. Finishes with present tannins, a sign of its youth. Excellent ageing potential for this vintage.

2️⃣ Clos Mogador 2012 First leap back in time, 11 years ago. The 2012 evokes spices, hints of tobacco leaves and still marked black fruit. Still young on the palate, its tannins are plentiful and fleshy. Dense finish. A vintage with considerable potential.

3️⃣ Clos Mogador 2008 On the nose, this 2008 vintage presents evolved notes of undergrowth and a smoky character. With opening and a little aeration, these notes fade slightly, revealing a touch of spice. On the palate, the wine has a supple structure with fine tannins. A vintage at its peak, to be followed for the duty of remembrance.

4️⃣ Clos Mogador 2004 19 years later, this wine is still very much with us. The nose evokes sunshine with ripe fruit, spices and a touch of licorice. On the palate, the 2004 is still very well-balanced with assertive tannins. The finish is intense and sunny, with ripe, almost stewed fruit. A vintage to be followed over time.

5️⃣ Clos Mogador 1999 The oldest in this series, but without doubt the most dazzling and surprising. Subtle aromas of chocolate, tobacco and ripe fruit. The wine is elegant on the palate, well-balanced with great finesse. 1999, a vintage that has aged well, and even very well, and is well worth drinking.