At a glance

Producer

Françoise et Stéphane Dief

Region

Médoc, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$28-$40 USD

Tasting profile

Blackcurrant, blackberry, ripe plum, and cherry notes with youthful cassis, accented by graphite, cedar, violets, and a hint of toasted oak. Noticeable structure and freshness.

Evolution: With 3-7 years in bottle: More complexity – leather, tobacco, earth, and sous-bois emerge as fruit mellows. Texture becomes plusher, tannins round out.

At peak: Fruity richness balanced by classic Médoc earthiness, harmonious tannin and acid structure, herbal and mineral nuance, subtle tertiary flavors (mushroom, cigar, truffle) during maturity

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus, supporting freshness and longevity

Tannins

Firm and ripe, prominent but fine-grained

Alcohol

Approx. 14% ABV (vintage typical)

Aging potential

Capable of 12-17 years total aging in top vintages due to quality, balance, structure and classic Médoc style

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2026 to 2051

Optimal window

2024 to 2054

Current status

Structured, youthful but approachable with decanting

Current condition

Still youthful, with vibrant fruit and pronounced structure; will continue to develop secondary and tertiary complexity with more age

2019 is a strong, classically styled Left Bank Bordeaux vintage with natural ripeness and structure. Clos Manou is a highly regarded overachiever in the Médoc, made with Grand Cru–level ambition (dense planting, hand harvest, careful selection). The wine's balance of ripe tannin, acidity, and concentration gives it a long plateau of optimal drinking, especially in this vintage. With careful cellaring, it comfortably holds for 12-17 years, peaking 2026–2033.

Food pairing

Roast lamb, grilled ribeye, duck with blackcurrant sauce, wild mushrooms, mature firm cheeses (Comté, aged Gouda), lentil stew with herbs.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — Releases primary fruit and integrates tannins, softening youthful edges and allowing complex aromas to open.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Hand harvesting, cover crops, minimal chemical use; increasing focus on biodiversity; some plots managed under organic principles (not fully certified organic). Use of lighter bottles and local suppliers for packaging, emphasis on soil health and biodiversity (beehives, planting hedges), treatment of wastewater.

Clos Manou under Françoise et Stéphane Dief is recognized in the Médoc for high environmental standards, participating in France’s HVE3 program, and adopting organic-inspired practices (though not 100% organic certified for all parcels). Emphasis is placed on soil health, minimizing synthetic intervention, and ecological stewardship above industry standard. However, as a globally distributed Bordeaux, carbon footprint is greater for non-European export markets. Overall, sustainability is strong for Bordeaux class, well above average for region, though not at the level of full organic/biodynamic estate.