Petit Manou – Médoc Bordeaux

Overview

Petit Manou is an elegant and harmonious red wine from the Médoc appellation in Bordeaux. Produced from the vineyards of Clos Manou, this wine represents a more accessible and approachable expression compared to Clos Manou, while retaining elegance, balance, and the structure typical of high-quality Médoc wines. The vineyards, averaging 40 years old, provide fully mature grapes rich in aromatic complexity. Annual production is approximately 50,000 bottles, offering limited availability while maintaining the estate’s quality standards.

Wine History

Petit Manou was created as a complementary project to Clos Manou, aimed at offering an everyday wine without compromising quality or authenticity. The best parcels of the 18-hectare estate were selected for its production, combining experience and innovation. The fermentation and aging process is carefully designed to highlight natural elegance and create a wine that can be enjoyed young, while offering sufficient structure for short-term aging. Petit Manou is recognized for its balance of fruit, minerality, and soft tannins.

Vineyard Philosophy

Vineyard management follows strict sustainable viticulture principles, with each plot treated individually and entirely hand-harvested grapes. The grape varieties used are 72% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Cabernet Franc, with vineyards averaging 40 years old, ensuring concentrated flavors and structure. Soils range from gravel and sand to clay-limestone, giving the wine complexity and terroir expression. Each bunch is carefully selected to preserve authenticity and the natural character of the Médoc terroir.

Winemaking Approach

Petit Manou undergoes an initial 5-month aging in concrete, followed by 12 months split between 29% in 35 hl concrete egg amphorae and 71% in used barrels previously employed for Clos Manou. This approach develops harmony between fruit and structure while maintaining freshness and roundness on the palate. No fining or filtration is applied, and the use of used barrels emphasizes elegance without overpowering the grapes. Petit Manou is notable for its balance, drinkability, and aromatic complexity.

Tasting Notes

• Color: bright ruby red, intense and uniform.

• Nose: aromas of ripe red fruits, subtle spice notes, and mineral hints reflecting the Médoc terroir.

• Palate: medium-bodied, soft and integrated tannins, perfect balance of fruit and structure, with a harmonious and persistent finish.

Food Pairing

Petit Manou pairs beautifully with grilled red meats, veal roasts, and light game dishes. It also complements semi-hard cheeses and flavorful dishes, making it versatile both as an everyday table wine and for special occasions.

Technical Sheet

• Region: Médoc, Bordeaux, France

• Grape Varieties: 72% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc

• Appellation: Médoc

• Vineyard Area: 18 ha

• Average Vine Age: 40 years

• Winemaking: initial 5 months in concrete, 12 months in amphorae and used barrels

• Aging: 29% in 35 hl concrete egg amphorae, 71% in used barrels for 12 months

• Production: 50,000 bottles

• Alcohol: 13.5% vol.

• Serving Temperature: 16–18°C

Clos Manou Winery – Bordeaux, Médoc

Winery History

Clos Manou was born from the dream of Françoise and Stéphane Dief, who in 1998 bottled their first 600 bottles in a makeshift garage cellar. Over the years, production has steadily grown, now averaging 120,000 bottles annually across 18 hectares of vineyards. Of these, 7 hectares are classified as Cru Bourgeois and 4 hectares as Cru Artisan, with the winery producing primarily Clos Manou and Petit Manou. This evolution highlights the founders’ passion and dedication, turning a small dream into a recognized reference in the Médoc appellation.

Vineyard Philosophy

The philosophy at Clos Manou is based on sustainable viticulture, with no herbicides or insecticides, and entirely hand-harvested grapes. The vines, averaging 40 years old, are managed individually, respecting the unique characteristics of each plot. The estate cultivates 4 main varieties: 53% Merlot (including a historic 1850 plot that survived phylloxera), 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot from massal selection. The soils vary from gravelly and sandy to clay-limestone, allowing the wines to express complexity, structure, and terroir typicity.

Winemaking Approach

In the cellar, Clos Manou combines traditional and modern techniques to highlight fruit and terroir minerality. Grapes are carefully sorted, fermented at low temperatures, and undergo a 20-day maceration. Aging is divided between cement and terracotta amphorae and oak barrels, using innovative systems like OXOline for wine movement without opening barrels, ensuring quality and consistency. Since 2004, all bottles are sealed with Ardeaseal corks, guaranteeing integrity and longevity. This approach produces elegant, balanced, and profound wines that faithfully reflect the vineyard and varietals.

Mission and Philosophy

Clos Manou’s mission focuses on excellence and constant quality, both in the vineyard and the cellar. The daily goal is to produce high-level wines while balancing viticultural responsibilities with technical innovation. The philosophy combines traditional methods with modern technology, always prioritizing terroir expression and vineyard care. As the founders state: “Producing the best motivates us every day: aiming for quality in everything we do, in the vineyard and in the cellar; constantly finding the right balance between our responsibilities as winemakers; drawing from traditional and modern methods.”