Clos Mogador 2018 reviewed by Robert Parker

Clos Mogador 2018 : 98 points

The flagship 2018 Clos Mogador is a blend of 45% Garnacha, 29% Cariñena, 16% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that fermented with natural yeasts and showcases their philosophy—slow fermentations with long maceration and long aging. It matured for 18 months in 2,000-liter oak vats and 30% in 300-liter oak barrels. There was a lot of rain in 2018, and the vineyards were extremely happy and everything seemed very easy; in fact, René Barbier told me it was perhaps too easy... It's an atypical year: It has a gentle profile, and the wines are not as concentrated as those from 2013 (the last rainy year before 2018)—they are more elegant and nuanced. This should develop beautifully in bottle. 27,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2020. (Robert Parker-Wine Advocate)

Manyetes 2018 : 97 points

The pure Cariñena 2018 Manyetes is now a Vi de Paratge, not only a village wine as in the past, in the new classification of the Priorat wines. 2018 was a cooler and wetter year, quite a contrast after the warm and dry 2017, and the wine has very good acidity. The vineyard is farmed organically (certified), the grapes have a slow fermentation with long macerations, and the wine matured in 50/50 barriques and foudres for 18 months. The wine is not as concentrated as it has been in some warmer years; it's definitely fresher, following in the line of the 2016, the wine with more marked minerality, black stones, graphite and wet slate. This has abundant tannins and some earthy sensations. It's a powerful wine with some rusticity and a strong personality. Like many wines, this should develop nicely in bottle. 3,500 bottles were filled in June 2020. (Robert Parker-Wine Advocate)

Espectacle 2018 : 98 points

As with other wines, I also tasted the 2018 Espectacle del Montsant next to the 2017 to catch up, as I last tasted the region some 16 months ago. 2018 was a cooler year of slow ripeness, and the grapes achieved an amazing 16% alcohol. The wine is truly spectacular, true to its name. It has tons of violet notes and aromatic herbs, the palate is gentler, and the tannins are rounder, polished and elegant. It has full body but isn't heavy. There is a lot of complexity, and the wine developed slowly in the glass, showing nuances of cereals, kirsch, orange peel and lots of spices and herbs. It's opulent and full, deep and complex. Amazing in its style. Some 6,500 bottles produced. (Robert Parker-Wine Advocate)

Nelin 2018 : 96 points

The white 2018 Nelin is their interpretation of a white from Priorat; it's a Garnacha Blanca-based blend that fermented with indigenous yeasts and some skin contact in a very slow fermentation and a long aging where they use all different materials—oak, concrete, clay and stainless steel. They are now introducing some local varieties like Trepat Blanc and Cartoixá (the local name of Xarello), and they are slowly removing the French grape varieties—the 2018 doesn't have any Pinot Noir. They only used 2,200-liter oak foudres, and there are no more barrels. It has a moderate 13.5% alcohol and good freshness. The wine is more and more austere, with a notable absence of fruit; it's spicy and herbal, with notes of chamomile and some aromatic herbs. The palate is very balanced, with a stony and austere sensation, finishing dry. It's lively, vibrant and alive, with expressive flavors and finishing almost salty, with a bitter twist. It has a lot of finesse and nuance. It should develop nicely in bottle. This wine hasn't stopped changing in the last few years, and it surprises me more each vintage. This has to be the finest vintage to date. 7,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2020. They have planted a lot of local white grapes that will come into the blend in the future. (Robert Parker-Wine Advocate)