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.   

"From the first sip, we are transported to the great vintages of Bordeaux, and also what makes Figeac so special; this is St-Émilion in a big year, and yet there is a sense of restraint and elegance alongside the clearly ripe phenolics and multi-layered, textured tannic structure. I get some chewiness through the mid-palate, clearly due to a high tannic count. This is just a stunning wine of sheer elegance but with unquestionable power. Hold on to it though - it's going to need time. A classic one-third of each grape in the blend." - Jane Anson, Decanter, (11/15/2017), Ratings: 98

"Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Figeac bursts from the glass with gregarious scents of baked blueberries, black cherry compote and chocolate box with hints of camphor, pencil lead and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has beautifully ripe, velvety tannins and bold freshness supporting the generous fruit, finishing long and layered." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate, (03/05/2020), Ratings: 97, Drink: 2020-2047

"The 2010 Figeac has a youthful and exuberant bouquet with black cherries, boysenberry, cassis and violets that soar from the glass. There is no stopping the aromatics here. The palate is rich and sensual on the entry with precocious red fruit laced with blood orange and cedar. It firms up a little towards the structured finish that exerts fine grip and there is real persistence in evidence. This is a very classy 2010 Right Bank, this bottle showing even better than the example at BI Wines & Spirits a few days earlier. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal." - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate, (04/30/2020), Ratings: 97, Drink: 2040-2050