CHÂTEAU FIGEAC 2010 1.5L

Château Figeac 2010, 1.5 Litre Magnum
Equivalent to two standard 750 ml bottles, each robust magnum serves about 10 glasses of wine

“Intense aromas of wet earth, leaves, sweet berries and cinnamon follow through to a full body, velvety and dense tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Opulent style. Just opening now, but this shows lots of stuffing, even if it does tighten down on the palate. Integrated and fine. (2/2017)” – 98/100, James Suckling

VARIETIES: Currently the proportions are 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot
REGION: France / Bordeaux / Libournais / Saint-Émilion / Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
AGEING: 18 months in French oak barrels, 100% new
SERVE: Serve at 16 – 18ºC
FITS TO: Go well with Entrecôte à la Bordelaise or Foie Gras Poêlé, as well as Lièvre à la broche. For cheeses, you can serve Saint-Nectaire, Ossau Iraty, Laguiole, Boulette d’Avesnes, Crottin de Chavignol
CRITICS SCORES: 98/JS, 98/V, 97/D, 97/RP, 96/JD, 96/WE, 96/WS
VIVINO: Average 4.4 ★★★★✰

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1ᵉr Grand Cru Classé B, Saint-Émilion Appellation | Range | Château Figeac 2010

Château Figeac is considered one of the jewels of the picturesque Saint-Émilion village.  It is situated next to Château Cheval Blanc, one of the champions of the appellation.

This unique Right Bank producer yields wines that rival some of the finest in the Médoc.  Due to higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon going into the wine, a characteristic unique to Château Figeac among Right Bank producers, due to its well-endowed terrior, its wine has a remarkable aging potential unlike the more accessible while young, and Merlot dominant wines from the area.  As the years progress, if well-cellared, Château Figeac continues to dazzle, impress, and grow more coveted with each passing vintage. In fact, demand is so high for offerings of Château Figeac that many buyers who are fortunate enough to come into contact with a bottle often purchase it immediately — for they never know when it will sell out.

One of the many attributes that makes this Saint-Émilion producer such a viticultural tour de force is its unique terroir. Château Figeac is located in what is known as the Graves region of Saint-Émilion. Very few producers in the Right Bank are fortunate enough to experience the luxury of this enviable terroir.  The special gravel topsoil is heat absorbing, light reflecting, and excellent for drainage.  Unlike the majority of Saint-Émilion’s limestone and clay heavy soils that are well suited for cultivating Merlot and Cabernet Franc, Château Figeac’s special terroir is perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon.  The estate’s 40 hectares of vineyards are evenly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.

Château Figeac is one of the oldest vineyards in the Right Bank.  The Romans saw the land’s great potential and cultivated vines on the estate approximately 2,000 years ago.  Château Figeac received its name in the 18th Century, and the enormous 200-hectare estate continued to change hands over the ages.  As ownership changed, parcels were sold off, including some to the legendary Château Cheval Blanc. In 1955 during the Saint-Émilion Classification, Château Figeac was classified as a Premiere Grand Cru Classés Class B Estate — a high honor.

Eventually the estate was procured by Thierry Manoncourt who was known as, “the Pharaoh of Saint-Émilion.”  Manoncourt showed an unprecedented level of commitment to Château Figeac and was responsible for a number of innovations at the estate.  He introduced temperature controlled stainless steel vats to the fermentation room and oversaw the production of Château Figeac’s second wine, Le Petit Figeac. Château Figeac was the first Right Bank producer to set the precedent of creating a Second Wine, and many other châteaux followed suit shortly thereafter.  Manoncourt was considered a giant within the wine industry, and this former President of the Saint-Émilion Jurats proudly championed the entire region.  Unfortunately, in 2010 he passed away and ownership of the estate changed hands to his widow, Madame Marie-France Manoncourt.

After a brief period of uncertainty, Château Figeac rebounded spectacularly with a legendary vintage in 2015.  As the years progress, the wines improve in quality at a staggering rate, and it is widely speculated this Premier Grand Crus Class B estate is due for a promotion at the next reclassification of Saint-Émilion producers, currently expected to be held in 2022.  Given the price appreciation Château Pavie and Château Angelus saw after their promotion to Class A, it is no surprise speculative buyers are snatching up Château Figeac all around the world.

The 2010 vintage is generally considered an exceptional one in the Bordeaux region, but it is considered a particularly exceptional one for the Château Figeac 2010. The Merlot gives it richness and roundness and the Cabernet Sauvignon is sumptuous and charming with red fruit. There is no doubt that once again Château Figeac is one of Saint-Emilion’s greatest wines. In the mouth, the attack of this First Classified Growth is elegant and complex with quite a tannic mouthfeel, but it is full of finesse and a lot of personality. It is a First Classified Growth vintage with a lot of class.