Clos de May Haut Medoc 2020 750ml

“Mature Haut Médoc Merlot with blackberry, plum, cedar, chocolate and fine polished tannins.”

Clos de May Haut Médoc 2020 is a beautifully polished Left Bank Bordeaux with plenty of dark fruit and a savoury edge. Blackberry and dark plum lead the way, followed by cedar, leather and a touch of chocolate as the wine opens in the glass.

What makes Clos de May a little unusual for the Haut Médoc is that it is made from 100% Merlot. That gives the wine a softer, rounder feel than many Cabernet led wines from the area, while the gravel and blue clay soils still bring plenty of structure. The tannins are fine and settled, and at six years old it is starting to show some lovely mature Bordeaux character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Blackberry, dark plum, dried fruit, cedar and subtle leather.

Palate: Medium to full bodied with ripe plum and blackberry, chocolate, cedar and smooth fine tannins.

Finish: Long and refined with lingering dark fruit, cocoa, cedar and a gentle savoury edge.

About The Winery

Clos de May is a tiny 1.6 hectare vineyard in Macau en Médoc, close to Margaux in Bordeaux’s Haut Médoc. The vineyard is planted entirely to Merlot on Garonne gravel over blue clay, a combination that gives the wine both richness and structure.

It is a very small production wine, and that is part of the appeal. Rather than the more familiar Cabernet dominated style of the Left Bank, Clos de May gives you a chance to see what Merlot can do on classic Médoc gravel soils.

The 2020 is now moving into a really attractive stage. There is still plenty of fruit, but the cedar, leather and chocolate characters are beginning to come through, making it a great option if you like Bordeaux with a little bottle age already behind it.

Cellaring Potential

Clos de May Haut Médoc 2020 is drinking very well now, especially after some time to breathe. It still has enough structure to continue developing, with cellaring comfortably through to around 2033 under good storage conditions.

Collector’s Note

Clos de May is worth a look for Bordeaux drinkers simply because it is unusual. A tiny Haut Médoc vineyard planted entirely to Merlot is not something you come across every day, and the 2020 vintage now offers a lovely combination of ripe fruit, mature savoury character and fine tannin.

Details

Producer: Clos de May
Vintage: 2020
Variety: 100% Merlot
Region: Haut Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Bottle Size: 750ml
Wine Style: Mature Left Bank Bordeaux red
Wine Sweetness: Dry
Wine Body: Medium to full bodied
ABV: 14.5%
Classification: Haut Médoc AOC
Vineyard Size: 1.6 hectares
Soils: Garonne gravel over blue clay