Château Figeac 2018 (Pre-Arrival)

• Domaine: Château Figeac
• Appellation: Saint-Émilion
• Classification: First Growth, Premier Grand Cru Classé
• Origin: Right Bank, Bordeaux, France
• Importer: Laguna Cellar

• Domaine: Château Figeac
• Appellation: Saint-Émilion
• Classification: First Growth, 1er Grand Cru Classé
• Origin: Right Bank, Bordeaux, France
• Importer: Laguna Cellar

Château Figeac is considered one of the jewels of the picturesque Saint-Émilion appellation. This unique Right Bank producer yields wines that rival some of the finest wines in the Médoc in terms of quality. Due to their heavier percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, the grand vin of Château Figeac have a remarkable aging potential unlike the friendlier, more accessible, and Merlot dominant wines from Saint-Émilion. As the years progress, the highly sought-after wines from Château Figeac continue 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 largely due to this incredible terroir. 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. It has been the speculation of many industry insiders that the estate is on the shortlist of promotion to the next tier of top ranks when the wines of Saint-Emilion are reclassified again. The Sait-Emilion Classification is updated every 10 years or so. The last classification was 2012, so the race is on.

Tasting Notes

"The 2018 Figeac was picked 17 September to 12 October. Winemaker Frédéric Faye told me that he vinified at a lower temperature compared to previous vintages with no pigeage or déléstage. It offers a classic Figeac bouquet with blackcurrant, raspberry coulis, touches of graphite from the Cabernet, marmalade and orange pith. The oak, 100% new, is well integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins and wonderful freshness. This is a dense Figeac with impressive body. Frédéric Faye managed to imbue this with elegance and the classic leitmotifs of this château. Cool, calm and collected on the finish, this is one of the wines of the vintage." - Neal Martin, vinous.com, (November, 2019), Rating: 96-98, Drink: 2024-2055

"The 2018 Figeac is composed of 37% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc, harvested September 17 to October 12 with a 3.7 pH and 14% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it charges out of the gate with vivacious black and red cherries, cassis, warm plums and wild blueberries scents plus fragrant hints of violets, star anise, tilled soil and forest floor with wafts of Ceylon tea and chocolate box. Full-bodied and jam-packed with energetic, crunchy black and blue fruits, it has a rock-solid, firm, grainy frame and loads of bright, refreshing sparks lifting the dense layers on the very long, savory finish. Wow—the Cabernet really makes itself known this vintage, and it is good. The signature of this wine is so clear, so defined, that this is a Bordeaux wine without peers. In my view, this is the finest Figeac ever produced." - Lisa Perotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (4/23/2019, Bordeaux 2018 Issue), Rating: 96-99