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Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 2016 Clos Mogador Priorat (98RP, 95IWR, 94VN). Wine Advocate: "Keeping the classical profile, the 2016 Clos Mogador has been fine tuned, reducing the French grapes, and it matured approximately 18 months in oak foudre and barriques. There is a lively sensation on the palate, vivacious and with very fine tannins. It has a meaty touch and feels really young , despite the long élevage. There is a strong mineral sensation on the palate, something that is a texture and mouthfeel rather than a flavor. This is an unusual, fresh vintage. (LG)" (08/2019)

The 2021 Terra de Cuques is a 50-50 blend of Garnatxa and Cariñena from Priorat. Garnet in color, it features aromas of blood orange and grapefruit, with pomegranate, curry and spice hints over an herbal bouquet. Dry, lean and chalky on the palate, it offers a nimble yet concentrated mouthfeel that contrasts with the wine’s intensity. This is a modern take on Priorat reds, crafted in a distinctive style. (JH)

I tasted this still-unbottled regional red in January 2024. The 2022 Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes has grapes from 53 vineyards in seven villages, and in 2022, it was 60% Garnacha, 39% Cariñena and 1% white grapes, higher in Cariñena than in recent years in this extremely warm and dry year. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak vats with part of full clusters, had a 41-day maceration and should spend some 12 months in French barriques and larger barrels. It's fully ripe at 14.5% alcohol while keeping a pH of 3.55 and 5.05 grams of acidity (measured in tartaric acid per liter of wine), parameters of very good freshness. This is always a little earthier and with a beautiful touch of rusticity showing the character of Priorat. It's ripe without excess; all the 2022s show surprisingly fresh for such a warm and dry year. (LG)

Aromas of black olives and rich dark cherries with brambly and meaty undertones. Fruity and juicy, with a solid fruit core on the mid-palate, which is fleshy, medium-bodied and nicely chewy. A dark, solid, fruity wine. (ZS)

Priorat takes its name from the Carthusian priory of Scala Dei, whose monks helped establish the area's winegrowing tradition in the Middle Ages. La Conreria d'Scala Dei's 2013 "Black Slate - Escaladei" comes from this historic Catalan appellation, known for its distinctive slate soils, locally called llicorella.

When I first put my nose in the glass of the 2023 Clos Mogador, I felt the freshness of spring flowers and lots of herbs, but the wine was a little closed and shy. I'm always excited when facing a new vintage of Clos Mogador, a wine that has been very important for Priorat and for my understanding of the Mediterranean. This year, the wine feels very balanced and has more elegance, and it's fine-boned and with very fine tannins. It's focused, clean and very neat; it doesn't feel chameleonic like some years when its young. This is more energetic, and there's no concern about the body; it's powerful and has abundant tannins, a wine for the long run. This is a step up in precision, freshness and elegance. It's subtle and elegant despite the notable ripeness. It fermented with 100% uncrushed grapes. They are removing the Cabernet and Syrah (in 2025, the wine is approximately 50% Cariñena and 50% Garnacha), and they are using less and less barriques. This is a very serious Mogador. (LG)

The village red 2022 Bellmunt Negre feels surprisingly fresh and agile, with notes of translucent red berries and some spiciness. It has a medium- to full bodied palate and abundant, fine-grained tannins. It's a blend of 70% Garnacha and 30% Cariñena matured for 10 months with equal parts in 3,300-liter concrete vats and 3,000-liter oak vats. (LG)

The 2023 Pissarres from Priorat is composed of 60% Garnatxa Negra and 40% Cariñena. From a warm, dry year, it shows ripeness with field herbs, chutney, cypress and black fruit. Energetic and juicy, it carries an alcoholic lift balanced by freshness. A herbal note lingers on the finish, marking the vintage. (JH)

A silky red, medium-bodied in weight, with good concentration to the flavors of raspberry coulis, toasted cumin, milled pepper, red licorice and tar. Offers a lightly chewy finish. Drink now through 2032. (AN)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1997 Sangenís i Vaqué "Clos Monlleo" Priorat. Sangenís i Vaqué traces its roots to Porrera, where the Monlleó side of the family had vineyard land in place well before 1700. Pere Sangenís and Conxita Vaqué began replanting these terraces in 1978 and started producing wine in 1979 in the old cellar of Conxita’s grandfather, Josep Simó, who had made wine there from 1886 until his death. The estate farms steep llicorella slopes around Porrera, working organically and harvesting by hand. Production sits around 25, 000 to 30, 000 bottles annually, with fermentation and aging carried out in their historic underground cellars. Today the family continues to balance traditional Priorat methods with updated practices, with Maria Sangenís and Roger Simó helping lead the project.

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1998 Cims de Porrera "Classic" Priorat (91W&S, 90ST). Wine & Spirits: "(no note given)" (10/2002)