The rating for 2008 Clos Mogador Priorat Gratallops is 93 points from Robert Parker and the tasting note - Three recent vintages bought us up to date. The 2008 Clos Mogador has a very fine bouquet of blackberry, blueberry and violet with great delineation and poise. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy, coarse tannins that neatly juxtapose the core of sweet dark fruit. With impressive tension and poise, this is an excellent Priorat for long-term aging. Clos Mogador needs no introduction. Rene Barbier was a pupil of Jean-Claude Berrouet and is one of the “founding fathers” in Priorat as part of the “Gratallops group.” I met him for the first time at his home, located at the bottom of a never-ending winding dirt track and surrounded by vines. He was accompanied by his wife and energetic son, also named Rene and married to Sara Perez (see Mas Martinet.) Their 20-hectare dry farmed, vineyard is located on schistous slate and quartz soil (llicorella) and planted with 40% Garnacha (80-year-old vines) , 20% Carinena, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah. The wine is raised in Nevers and Allier oak with minimal intervention.