Barbier Louvet

La Vinya del Vuit

Gratallops Priorat Cariñena Blend 2012

La Vinya del Vuit (Vuit is 8 in Spanish) is a project of 8 Priorat producers started many years ago and still woking together closely to produce an excellent Priorat based on mutual efforts. The 8 comprise amongst others Sara Pérez (Mas Martinet, Venus Universal), René Barbier (Clos Mogador), Ester Nin (Nit de Nin) and 5 other producers from Gratallops. The wine label changes with each vintage, and always takes a shape in some form of an 8. The wine comes from one vineyard shared by the 8 friends, called Coll de Falset, near Gratallops. The vineyard produces very low yields (between 8 and 10 vines are needed for each bottle of wine) and as a result a very concentrated wine, mostly made with Carinyena, although there are many Garnatxa grapes in the vineyard. Only 800 bottles were produced of the 2012 wine. The result is a remarkable Priorat, very concentrated, lots of dark red fruit, very balanced, with some earthiness and minerality. Fantastic! — 4 months ago

Jan and Anthony liked this

Venus La Universal

Venus Tarragona-Falset 2015

Flagship wine from Venus La Universal, one of Montsant’s most exciting producers, led by husband and wife team René Barbier (Clos Mogador) and Sara Pérez (Mas Martinet). Elegant blend of Garnatxa (50%), Cariñena/Carignan (40%) and Syrah (10%) from organically farmed vineyards on clay-calcareous soils between Marçà and Guiamets, in Southern Catalonia. Juicy, sensual. Red fruit and balsamic notes. — 5 years ago

P, Daniel and 1 other liked this

Clos Mogador

Priorat Red Blend 2015

The 2015 Clos Mogador is a absolutely stunning release from this historic Priorat estate. Located in Gratallops, in the heart of the Priorat hills, René Barbier, one of the founders of the Priorat revolution, crafts an incredible blend of 40% Garnacha (lauched from 80 year old vines), 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah and 5% Morvedre, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. This immediately reveals seductive aromas of red cherry preserves, rose petals and roasted figs. On the palate this is ripe and intense, yields bright flavors of orange rind, red cherry and red raspberry with wild thyme and garrigue flavors. Intoxicating and beautifully structured, this beautiful wine will evolve gracefully for many years to come. Drink 2019-2040- 95 — 6 years ago

Dr., Shay and 16 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Thanks! Great review. Looking for Priorat suggestion for our trip this fall.
Dr. Owen Bargreen

Dr. Owen Bargreen Influencer Badge

@Paul E Koran Thanks so much. Beautiful new wine!

Clos Erasmus

Laurel Priorat Garnacha Blend 2021

This is a stunning Garnatxa blend from Priorat (Catalonia), Spain!!

It’s comprised of mostly Garnatxa (Grenache), along with Syrah, and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from three parcels in the sun-soaked village of Gratallops, where Daphne Glorian purchased her first vineyard – Clos Escales – back in 1989 when she founded Clos i Terraces. 🍇

In making this move, she joined equally passionate and pioneering winemakers Álvaro Palacios (L’Ermita) and René Barbier (Clos Mogador) in a rebirth of production practices in the region; as a group (with other similar-minded producers) they altered the trajectory of Priorat’s profile as a source of tip top quality wines rivaling the best on the world stage. 👏🏻

Priorat is one of only two regions carrying the “DOCa” / “DOQ” quality designation (the other is Rioja), subject to various stipulations including regular auditing by a tasting panel. ✅

This particular wine is “Laurel” which is Clos i Terraces’s second wine, next to Clos Erasmus, one of Priorat’s finest and most sought-after wines. Yet it tastes like a flagship wine in and of itself.🫶🏻🫶🏻

It is absolutely beautiful, with a medium ruby hue, medium (+) intensity of ripe and fresh strawberry, red cherry, red plum, violet, black licorice, fennel, clove, baking spice aromas and flavors. It’s dry, with medium(+) acidity, a medium(+) body, high alcohol (14% ABV), and medium tannins that are fine-grained. 😆

This wine vinified and aged in a combination of vessels, including, large oak vats, concrete tanks, second and third fill French oak barrels, and clay amphorae, lending to its texture and complexity.👌🏻👌🏻
— 8 months ago

Peter, Shay and 13 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Vanessa There is a great movie about the rebirth of Priorat featuring Daphne, Alvaro Palacios and Rene Barbier and others called “Dreaming of Wine”. I thoroughly recommend it.
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Jay Kline Cheers! 🥂
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Bob McDonald Thank you so much for this fabulous recommendation. 🙏🏻 We’re definitely going to track that movie down and cannot wait to watch it! 🍷🍷

René Barbier i Sara Perez

Gratallops Partida Bellivisos Priorat Grenache Blanc 2017

The 2017 Gratallops Partida Bellvisos Blanc is a wine from the Priorat couple René Barbier Meyer (Clos Mogador) and Sara Pérez (Mas Martinet). It's a blend of Garnacha Blanca, Trepat Blanco and Viura (Macabeo) from 65-year-old vines. The appearance is coppery white close to rose, but no oxidation. It’s a powerful wine, ripe, spicy and some anise. — 3 years ago

Anthony and ESF liked this

Christian Barbier

Deunido Montsant Garnacha

Natural Montsant. Unfiltered 100% Garnatxa from La Figuera. Fermented and aged for 5 months in stainless steel. Juicy dark fruit. Pine. Earthy notes. Bright, easy to drink — 4 years ago

Bob and Mike liked this

Barbier-Louvet

Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru Brut Chardonnay

Love the way this developed in the glass. Very tight —> toasty brioche —> apple cider —> toasted hazelnut. Can’t wait to pop the next cork! — 6 years ago