Clos Mogador 2003
We ordered this from the winelist at a restaurant in Gratallops last week. A snip at 60 Euro - it goes for about 42 Euro normally - so a very fair markup. The wine is also from the Priorat DO which is one of the wildest most beautiful wine regions we have ever seen.
It is a blend of grenache, cabernet sauvignon, syrah and a bit of cariñena (carignan). A blend that would most likely be considered a bin end special in this country! The wine was poured into a magnum decanter and we waited dutifully and very patiently for about an hour before trying it. While we were waiting we had a glass of local white made from grenache blanc…interesting is one word for it. My hand kept moving towards the decanter but JP made me wait. When my main of oxtail arrived the moment could be delayed no further.
Aromas of raspberry rope/cherry, aniseed, dark chocolate and sweet herbs. Some spicy cinnamon oak and minerally overtones too. A very delicious and complex smelling wine - and one with a little VA lift to whisk it up the nose. On the palate it is rich and leathery with dark chocolate, mineral and ripe berry flavours. Very ripe but still fresh and not at all heavy. Dry fine ripe assertive tannins and a long tannic finish. We savoured the bottle, and as is often the case, the last glass was the very best. A wine that speaks clearly of its origins - rugged and beautiful, filled with the warmth of the sun and the stony ground in which it was grown.
Tasted : May06Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $42 Euro
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2008 - 2018
Source : Restaurant
Visit winery website
Print this article
Email this article
Comments
Contributors
-
Double Take
Next Double Take :
Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005
Yummo.
I am going to get this, even if it does end up costing ten times as much here.
Who imports it? Do you know? I would like to try the 2001. I’ll put up some pictures of Priorat and other stuff later in next week or so.
GW
Rob Walters at Fine Wines of Europe sells it.
I was invited to a vertical of this early this year and couldn’t make it.
Campbell.
So he does. $122 for the 2000 (RPJ 95 points)….only 13 left…..you should have gone. They would be right up your alley.
GW
The 2001 was simply extraordinary - and as such, has long been unavailable in this country. The price has increased substantially around the world too.
The 2002 is very good (considering the vintage), and quite affordable. The 2000 is probably a little more closed at the moment, and a very good wine.
Linc and Michel can vouch for the 1994 in terms of its drinkability at the moment… lucky buggers!
Does the 3rd comment suggest a return to the mountain country of the Winefront or is this via internet cafe?
Safely back in the mountain’s folds, David.
I stopped in Hong Kong on the way back - was about 33 degrees, 97 humidity, the air so heavy it was soupy - back home, it was minus three on my early morning return, the air so crisp you could snap it.
I loved Chianti. I could take a life there.
Campbell.
Actually not tried my 94 yet - maybe this weekend if the occasion and opportunity presents itself.
I tried this in Honkers….super juice….bloody ripe as were all the ’03’s…..Alion, Cirsion, Pingus, Finca…all brilliant….’95 Vega Unico awesome…..Spanish wine is so hot right now…..Choo Choo
I could have bought a bottle of 95 Vega Unico for about 150 Euro ($240AUD) at the supermarket..(air conditioned).. I wish I had now. Bugger it.
GW
Unico is 94 Euros cellar door - to mailing list members anyway. Price tends to increase dramatically from there!
95 Unico copped 98 points + wine of the year in many Spanish wine mags etc…
Also we tasted bottles of 01 Alion and 02 Alion and considering the vintage reputation it was a suprise to find the 02 Alion the superior wine. Again all the local critics loved it (96 puntos) and I could not find any in the shops. Bugger it.
GW
So who is going to Spain to bring a vertical back for a Winorama Masterclass? I for one will fly up to the hot/humid country for this so bags the first place. Come on, the gauntlet is down. Or can we get a set here?? Just has to be after August 2!!!!
Well we can source 02 and 00 locally. The 2003 should arrive here shortly…so you are charged with grabbing the elusive 2001 when you are in the US…..
GW
How was the ox tail?
I’ve got a few of the 01 Clos Mogador, anyone have any ideas on ageing?
El Cortes Ingles (the big super market chain) is a great place to do the grocery shopping in spain…110 Euros for the Unico then 300 Euros for the leg of Jamon, plus a few staples for after siesta. Nows that’s living large.
Just a side note on the Alion, it doesn’t get officially released in Spain until September. The 02 is damn good for an “off vintage” eh?
I asked 2 guys at Vega Sicila if they preferred the 94 or 95 Unico, it almost ended in a punch-up! quite controversial it seems! It was resolved by tasting the latest Reserva Especial…this stuff is amazing.
My wife opened the 94 double blind for me for our anniversary this year and I COB picked it as a 99 Southern Rhone wine.
Integrated balanced wine with class
94/100
ps Linc I am free whenever you decide to open your bottle !!!!
This wine is due in Australia in around 6 weeks. Maybe we should send Gary to Spain more often
..and the 02 Alion is due later in the year too….magic wine. I need a new Spanish budget..
Shaggy,
The oxtail was prostigious..and I remember now the Unico was 110 Euro..I was looking in Cortes Inglese too (as advised).
GW
OK, so am I looking for the 01 in US or is Shaggy gunna provide one?
David, give it a few years and I’m more than happy to share one, I like these with some age. I will definitely be getting some 03 as well. There will need to be a Spanish session organised at some stage..
I just paid for my 01 Alion, ouch! It is such an enjoyable wine tho, I can ignore the huge price hike.
Gary:
Venga, venga, más notas de España por favor!
Does anyone else find themselves these days occasionally just throwing their hands in the air and shouting “Hola!” for no apparent reason??? or is it just me??
Hola!
When do you plan to rename this site…
WINOOOORAAAMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
Areiba.
It won’t fit on the business cards…otherwise I would.
GW
Si, donde son las notas de Espana??
I have had a horrid cold..been in Melbourne Wednesday..and did the launch of the 2003 Mount Pleasant O’Shea yesterday involving 54,57,64,76,87,88,91,94,98,00,03,05 vintages + 00 Rosehill, 94 Elizabeth, 00 Lovedale, Rare Liqueur Verdelho, Taittinger…and too many schooners of Coopers Pale afterwards…and am out tonight and going away for the weekend. So no time until next week…hectic man. Hectic.
GW
Sí, apresúrese para arriba, los pantalones ploppy
Hola!
Hola!
Clos Mogador is one of my favorit wines.
I am importer of this wine in Belgium.
I am specialized in Spanish wines.