Who makes it
The name Clos Galena comes from galena, the principal mineral historically extracted from mines near El Molar. Clos Galena is a wine producer based at Camí de la Solana in El Molar, Tarragona, with wines under the DOQ Priorat appellation.
The red plantings include Garnacha, Cariñena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Garnacha Blanca and Viognier provide the white grape plantings. The estate has 30 hectares of vineyards surrounded by forest and natural vegetation. Its wines use French and American oak during production and ageing.
Where it grows
El Molar is the Tarragona municipality where Clos Galena's vineyards and winery are based. The Priorat wines carry the DOQ Priorat appellation, a protected regional designation that places the bottles within Priorat's regulated wine category.
The company also operates projects in Terra Alta and Montsant. Those projects extend the range beyond the Priorat wines made around El Molar.
How it is made
The cellar
Clos Galena has practised organic farming since the first vineyards were purchased in 1994. Organic farming avoids synthetic vineyard treatments and can encourage deeper root activity as vines search through the soil for water and nutrients.
French and American oak are used in winemaking and ageing. Oak allows gradual oxygen exchange and can contribute spice, toast and a softer feel to tannin as the wine matures. The producer describes the oak as part of a careful process aimed at authenticity and typicality.
What they make
The named Priorat range includes Galena Priorat Eco, Formiga de Vellut and Crossos Priorat. Formiga de Vellut is a blended red, while Galena and Crossos are presented as individual Priorat wines.
Crossos spends six months in barrels made from 80 percent French oak and 20 percent American oak. Beyond these Priorat bottles, the company makes Secrets de Mar red and white wines in Terra Alta and Moments del Montsant in Montsant.
Wines to try
First bottle
Open Formiga de Vellut 2022 first. The wine combines 60 percent Grenache, 20 percent Carignan and 20 percent Syrah, then spends eight months in barrels made from 80 percent French oak and 20 percent American oak.