Château Figeac 2019

Special Price $294.95 Average US Price $305.00
In Stock   Usually ships in 2-5 days, weather permitting
SKU
2073-2019
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• Domaine: Château Figeac
• Appellation: Saint-Émilion
• Classification: Premier Grand Cru Classé A
• Origin: Right Bank, Bordeaux, France

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, thanks to its well-endowed terrior, its wine has a remarkable aging potential unlike most of the wines from the area - more accessible while young, Merlot dominant.  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 growing 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.  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 the estate has been managed by his widow, Madame Marie-France Manoncourt.  After a brief period of uncertainty, Château Figeac rebounded spectacularly with a legendary vintage in 2015. 

In 1955, during the first official classificationi of Saint-Émilion, Château Figeac was classified as a Premiere Grand Cru Classés Class B Estate -- a high honor.  Only Château Ausone and Châteaux Cheval Blanc were catapulted into a higher tier - Premiere Grand Cru Classés Class A.  Expectations have been building that at the next reranking and reclassification of Saint-Émilion, Figeac is most likely to be promoted into the top rank - Premiere Grand Cru Classés Class A.  Given the price appreciation Château Pavie and Château Angelus saw after their promotion to Class A in 2012, it is no surprise speculative buyers are snatching up Château Figeac all around the world.   

Tasting Notes

"The 2019 Figeac is composed of 30% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Cabernet Franc, harvested from the 13th of September to the 7th of October. The alcohol this year is 14.1% and the pH is 3.7. Steal-your-heart scents of mulberries, black raspberries, Black Forest cake and cassis prance ever so gracefully out of the glass, followed by nuances of plum preserves, red roses, cinnamon toast and clove oil plus just a waft of lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shimmers with electric energy, framed by a solid backbone of wonderfully ripe, grainy Cabernet-led tannins and bold freshness, finishing with fantastic persistence and with tons of emerging earth and floral layers. This is a simply stunning, seemingly effortless, beautifully harmonious expression of the vineyard and the vintage - bravo!" - Lisa Perotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (6/14/2020, Bordeaux 2019 Issue), Rating: 98-100

"A stunning vivid wine, the 2019 Figeac may very well turn out to be one of the wines of the vintage, when all is said and done. Cabernet Franc is 36%, a bit higher than the norm, which has been closer to 30%. The 100% new oak is barely perceptible. Rich and dramatic in the glass, the 2019 soars with magnificent intensity. Graphite, cured meats, smoke, licorice, menthol and spice develop with aeration, but the 2019 is dense and very primary today. It is a truly grand Grand Vin in the making.

Estate Director Frédéric Faye describes a year of starting and stopping in terms of maturity. He chose to start harvest with the young vine Merlots on sand early to preserve freshness, but waited on the parcels with Cabernet on clay/gravel, where the soils retain more moisture. Faye opted for gentle winemaking as he was concerned over-extracting the Cabernets in particular." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous (6/2020), Rating: 97-99

"Reminding me of the 2016 with its pure, classic style, the 2019 Figeac checks in as 36% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot, and the Cabernet certainly takes center stage at this point. Deep purple, with an incredibly pure bouquet of crème de cassis, spring flowers, tobacco, lead pencil shavings, and damp earth, you'd be excused for guessing Pontet Canet (or maybe Lafite) blind as it has a distinctly Left Bank style. Full-bodied and flawlessly balanced, with beautiful concentration, it's one of those wines that offers serious power and richness, yet no sensation of weight or heaviness. In addition, the tannin quality is off the charts and could not be any better. If you love classic Bordeaux (or just great wine for that matter), you should buy this wine." Jeb Dunnuck, BORDEAUX 2019: A Modern-Day Version of 1982? Rating: 98-100


 

More Information
LWIN 2964586
Stock Status In Stock
Appellation Saint-Emilion
Vintage 2019
Brand Château Figeac
Shipping Weight 3.000000
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Saint-Émilion is one of the most prestigious wine appellations in the Bordeaux region of France, renowned for its exceptional red wines and rich viticultural history. Located on the Right Bank of the Dordogne River, Saint-Émilion is a place of great beauty and a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to its remarkable blend of natural and cultural attributes. The Saint-Émilion appellation is characterized by a diverse terroir featuring a mix of limestone, clay, and sandy soils that provide the foundation for its distinctive wines. The unique microclimates and elevations within the appellation contribute to the variety of flavors and styles found in Saint-Émilion wines.

The primary grape varieties used in Saint-Émilion wines are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot often dominating the blends. These grapes thrive in the region's favorable climate, moderated by the proximity of the Dordogne River and the buffering effects of the limestone plateau.

Saint-Émilion is famous for its unique wine classification system, which divides the vineyards into four tiers: Premier Grand Cru Classé A, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, Grand Cru Classé, and Grand Cru. This classification reflects the quality and prestige of the individual vineyards and châteaux within the appellation, with only a select few achieving the highest ranking of Premier Grand Cru Classé A. Until the re-classification in 2022, Château Cheval Blanc, Château Ausone, Château Angelus, and Château Pavie were the only four members of the Premier Grand Cru Classé A tier. Out of disagreement with the standard-setting governing body, Cheval Blanc and Ausone voluntarily dropped out. Angelus followed suit shortly after. With Pavie remaining the only member, Premier Grand Cru Classé A saw the addition of Château Figeac following a long-expected and well-deserved promotion.

Saint-Émilion wines are known for their finesse, complex aromas, and beautiful balance of fruit, tannins, and acidity. While they share some similarities with wines from the neighboring Pomerol appellation, they often have a slightly more structured and tannic character due to the higher proportion of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blends. With age, these wines develop a velvety texture and reveal an array of flavors, including dark fruits, floral notes, and hints of earthiness.

Footnotes on Futures, Pre-Arrivals, and potential US Tariffs: 

1. As of June 15, 2021, the US and the EU agreed to suspend tariffs resulting from the Boeing-Airbus aircraft trade disputes. Accordingly, such import taxes are now suspended for the next five years.

2. Futures are expected to be available for delivery two years after the sales (e.g., the 2022 vintage, sold in 2023, will be delivered in 2025 mostly, or 2026 if the producer ages the wine longer).

3. Pre-Arrivals are items currently stored in our Bordeaux cellar or in transit from France to the US. It usually takes 1-6 months for Pre-Arrivals to become available for delivery, depending on the stage of the import process.

4. Regarding futures and pre-arrivals, we cannot guarantee specific delivery dates, which factors beyond our control may impact. However, we will notify you once your wine arrives in our cellar.

5. While a buyer of Bordeaux wine futures locks in an allocation of the specified items, the final delivery of the purchased items from France to the US may be impacted by intervening and unforeseeable events. Despite our due diligence, additional costs or delays may be caused by such intervening and unforeseen events and "an irresistible, superhuman cause, or by the act of public enemies of the state of California or the United States."  In such circumstances, if a buyer does not accept unforeseeable costs or delays, the sole and exclusive remedy is a cancellation of the futures order concerned and a refund of the original purchase price. We are NOT liable for any lost profits on a canceled order.

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