The second stop on our Priorat Tour was Clos Figueras for lunch and a bit of wine tasting.
The History of Clos Figueras
In 1997 René Barbier, his family (the same family that owns Clos Mogador) and a few friends purchased Clos Figueras.
It took around two years of work to rejuvenate the terraces before planting new root stock of Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Syrah which they brought in from the Southern Rhone Valley.
In 2000 Clos Figueras purchased a number of other vineyards that were planted with mature Grenache and Carignan vines, increasing the land holdings to about 18 hectares.
The Wines
The first of Clos Figueras’ wines were made and bottled at Clos Mogador, but with the increase in volume Clos Mogador was running out of space so in 2002 with the injection of funds from a couple of investors, including the Spanish Branch of the Osborne Family, they purchased and fitted out an old barn in Gratallops as the new winery.
Clos Figueras produce around 30,000 bottles per year of three red and one white wines. The reds are Clos Figueras, Font de la Figuera Red and Serra del Priorat. The sole white produced is Font de la Figuera Blanco.
Interesting Anecdote (well I think so)
In 1998 they thought that as a part of purchase of new root stock some Cabernet Sauvignon, but, after two years the team was surprised to realise that they had planted Viognier instead. As the Viognier was thriving they kept and used it as the basis for a new wine, Font de la Figuera Blanco, a blend of 85% Viongier, Grenache Blanc and Chenin Blanc
Les Figueres Restaurant
The Les Figueres Restaurant is one of the better restaurants in the region, serves local fare in a relaxed and comfortable dining room.
The Food
Starters
- Selection of Priorat cold cured meats from the neighboring village of La Vilella Baixa
- Selection of artisan Priorat pates from the nearby village of La Vilella Baixa
- Clos Figueres salad – organic lettuce from our garden
Main Course
- Organic grilled lamb from the Priorat served with French fries / salad / Catalan-style roast vegetable
- Priorat farmhouse sausage served with French fries / salad / Catalan-style roast vegetables
- Cod loin with organic vegetables
The food at Clos Figueres Restaurant is very good, definitely worth a visit, my favourite was the farmhouse sausage, although all three mains were great.
Oz’s Ratings
| Icon | Rating | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
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1 | 1 out of 5 | Bug spray, good for cleaning or powering vehicles |
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2 | 2 out of 5 | Acceptable at a pinch (must be extremely desperate) |
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3 | 2.5 out of 5 | Drinkable, might improve with age or decanting, good for the last bottle of the night when there is nothing else available |
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4 | 3 out of 5 | A good wine, may improve with time, a quaffer |
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5 | 3.5 out of 5 | A very good wine, worth a try and probably a bit of patience if it is a young wine |
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6 | 4 out of 5 | A great wine! Recommended by Oz |
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7 | 4.5 out of 5 | A great wine, definitely one that Oz recommends!! |
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11 | 5 out of 5 | Amazing, WoW. Highly recommended, please give me more! |
Clos Figuras Wine
I didn’t enjoy the Clos Figuras wines as much as their Clos Mogador wines, my pick was the Clos Figuras.
| Rating | Wine |
|---|---|
 | > Name: Clos Figueras Font De La Figuera Blanco <Year: 2017 Region: Gratallops, Priorat DOCa, Spain Varietal: 60% Garnaxa Blanc, 40% Viognier with a hint of Chenin Blanc Oz's Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Bright pale straw in appearance with a floral blend of mascarpone, lime and citrus aromas. The palate is subtle, a little tart with a medium finish. Not a bad wine for a mistake.... |
 | > Name: Clos Figueras Serras Del Priorat <Year: 2017 Region: Priorat DOCa, Spain Varietal: 80% Garnaxta, remaining 20% is a mix of Carignan, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon Oz's Rating: 3 out of 5 Rich deep crimson purple in appearance with a reserved earthy nose of dark fruit and blackberry aromas. The medium-bodied palate is still evolving with firm tannins and a medium finish. Needs time. |
| > Name: Clos Figueras Font De La Figuera Tinto <Year: 2016 Region: Priorat DOQ, Spain Varietal: 60% Grenache, 20% Carignan, 20% Syrah, Mourvedre and Cabernet Sauvignon Oz's Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Rich deep crimson purple in appearance with a reserved medium-bodied nose of black currant, black pepper, leather and spice aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with firm developing tannins and a medium finish. Nice wine, needs more time. Opened up in the glass a bit of time in a decanter would have helped. |
| > Name: Clos Figueras <Year: 2015 Region: Priorat DOQ, Spain Varietal: 80% Grenache and Carignan, 20% Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cabernet Sauvignon Oz's Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Bright medium deep garnet in appearance with a pleasant reserved nose of dark fruit, cedar and spice aromas. The medium-bodied palate is savoury with firm tannins and a medium to long finish that has a bit of heat on the tail. A good wine, that needs time. |
Oz’s Wine Reviews
Oz’s Winery Reviews
Clos Figuras Barrel Room
Clos Figuras
A good spot for lunch or dinner they also sell wines from other wineries from Spain. Would have enjoyed a few more hours to enjoy a long lunch and the great surrounds.
The wines are ok, but not in the same class as the ones we tried at Clos Mogador earlier in the day, my suggestion would be to bring a couple from there and hope they do BYO.
Cheers!
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Sounds like you had a great time! Love the pictures too
Yes, enjoyed it. Would have liked to have visited a couple more wineries. Next time…