2024 Clos Manou
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Tasting notes
The northern stretches of the Médoc appellation were a challenging place to be in 2024, with high acidities and a risk of dilution. If anyone can cope with it, it's Stephane Diéf and this is definitely one of the brighter spots in the appellation, but even here you find a wine that goes long on lean, vivid blue fruits, sappy salinity, finely tuned muscles... you get the picture. Supremely well made, a lot to enjoy, but don't expect exuberance. 5% press wine, September 25 to October 9 for harvest, 55% new oak for ageing, 3.47ph, 72IPT. 18ha of vines in Saint-Christoly de Médoc and Couquèques.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2024 Clos Manou is a tasty Médoc. Dark fruit, chocolate, leather, incense and blackberry make a strong opening statement. The mid-palate is a bit light, but there may be just enough to pull this together with élevage.
The 2024 Clos Manou has a wonderful bouquet for the vintage, which I expected from this producer. It's delicate, but there is real presence. The palate is vibrant, tensile and quite mineral-driven with a complex, persistent finish. It shows a lot of the more aggrandizing Grand Crus how it's done. This is superb.
Dark currants, spice, espresso, and licorice are already on display in this medium-bodied, open wine. While this is easy to enjoy in its youth, with age, this is going to be even better.
About the producer
Clos Manou is one of Bordeaux’s most under-rated addresses. The tiny estate is in the northern reaches of the Médoc, but produces wine that puts some Classed Growths to shame.