Gran Clos Red Blend 1998

Gran Clos Red Blend 1998 is a 13.5% ABV, 750mL red from Priorat, Spain — 70% Garnacha, 20% Carinena and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, per K&L Wines' listing for the vintage, with the same proportions recorded in the Wine Advocate's 2001 review of the wine. Made by Cellers Fuentes under the Gran Clos label, it is a mature, bottle-aged Priorat from one of Spain's most storied appellations, and it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.

• ABV: 13.5% (per K&L Wines — see applier flag)
• Size: 750mL
• Vintage: 1998
• Blend: 70% Garnacha, 20% Carinena, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Region: Priorat (Priorato), Spain
• Review: 90 points, Wine Advocate (reviewed August 2001)

A Mature Priorat from Cellers Fuentes

Priorat, in the hills of Catalonia, built its modern reputation in the 1990s on old Garnacha and Carinena vines rooted in slate — and the 1998 Gran Clos comes from exactly that era, the flagship red of Cellers Fuentes (J.M. Fuentes). Reviewing it on release in 2001, the Wine Advocate scored it 90 points and noted its toasty new-oak frame; Wine Spectator's 2001 note, carried by K&L, found bright, firm blackberry and plum. Nearly three decades on, this is a chance to taste the appellation's founding generation fully mature. Find it in our red wine range, browse the wider wine shelf, or visit the Gran Clos vendor page.

Tasting Notes

On release (critics, via K&L): Wine Spectator described bright, firm blackberry and plum with a vibrant, clean finish; Tanzer's International Wine Cellar found a fresh cherry-led nose over a structured, still-tannic palate built to age. K&L's own staff notes add wild strawberry confit, ripe red fruit and a mineral thread — the profile bottle age has since had decades to deepen.

How to Enjoy

Stand the bottle upright a day before opening and decant gently off any sediment. Serve at cellar temperature with roasted lamb, grilled mushrooms or aged Manchego — mature Priorat rewards rich, savoury food.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grapes are in the 1998 Gran Clos? 70% Garnacha, 20% Carinena and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, per K&L Wines and the Wine Advocate's review of the 1998 — other vintages of Gran Clos use different proportions.

How was it reviewed? The Wine Advocate scored the 1998 at 90 points in August 2001, noting prominent toasty new oak over its Garnacha-led fruit.

Is a 1998 wine still good to drink? Priorat reds of this structure are built for long cellaring; this bottle is offered as a mature wine, so expect tertiary, savoury development rather than primary fruit — decant gently and enjoy promptly once opened.

A founding-era Priorat, fully mature — order Gran Clos 1998 online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA, while this vintage lasts.