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Chateau
Figeac
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Appellation Saint Emilion Contrôlée
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Location:
a neighbor of Cheval
Blanc on the plateau of
Saint Emilion. Saint Emilion
is a 'right bank' property in the Bordeaux
region of Southwestern France.
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Size:
100 acres producing 10,000 cases.
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Classification:
Saint
Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe.
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Vineyard:
35% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 35%
Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot.
Average age of the vine is 35 years. It's soil is primarily
hilly deposits of gravel.
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Vinification:
Traditional methods throughout the chai. Fermentation time varies
based on the vintage. The cap is submerged in the must.
The winery has 10 stainless steel vats and 10 large oak vats.
The wine is aged in new oak
barrels for 20-22 months before release.
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History:
The growing of grapes here dates back to the second century.
Once part of a larger estate that included much of the region,
Figeac has long been considered one of Saint Emilion's best
wines -- for many years even greater than the fabled Ausone.
The owners, Thierry Manoncourt and his family spare no efforts
to make this popular wine also one of Bordeaux's best.
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Style:
Figeac is distinguished for its great rich aromas,
rare delicacy and striking elegance combined with an extremely
well-developed bouquet.
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Food:
A serious wine to be enjoyed with most game or grilled meats.
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THIERRY MANONCOURT
33330 Saint-Emilion
Tel +33 5 57 24 72 26
Fax +33 5 57 74 45 74
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Vintages
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Listed
below is vintage information from the chateau's web site.
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1997
- This vintage was bottled in July 1999. It is still a little
too early to for a considered opinion. However, we already know
that this year will be pleasant to drink young due to its well-developed
fruit and round tannin. |
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1996
- Deep garnet-red colour and fresh floral bouquet with a hint
of blackberry. Lots of tannin on the palate, that is just beginning
to soften up. Plenty of fruit. Long, delicate and slightly toasty
aftertaste with a touch of bitterness.
Best kept for several years (2003-2005) in order to reach its
peak. |
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1995
- Beautiful, deep red colour. The nose is relatively closed-in
at present, but it is very dense with ripe, red fruit.
This vintage is quite vinous on the palate, with very round, tight
tannin. Long, rich, full aftertaste.
Already enjoyable to drink, but this wine has a
very great ageing potential. |
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1994
- Beautiful, deep, garnet-red colour of medium intensity, but
slightly better than 1996.
There is still oak on the nose, but this is elegant and subtle.
Hints of ripe fruit and forest floor on the bouquet.
Starts out fairly soft on the palate, although the tannin is still
firm. Good length.
While this is an ideal vintage for people who love young wines,
it will also benefit from ageing. |
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1993
- Beautiful garnet-red colour that is just starting to show signs
of age.
The bouquet has subtle oak and hints of raspberry and black pepper.
This 1993 starts out straightforward and vinous on the palate.
It is very Cabernet in character with peppery hints. Very pure,
with a tremendously elegant aftertaste.
Deserves to age until 2002. |
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1992
- The colour is not very deep and this vintage is already showing
its age. The rim is fairly brick red.
The bouquet is quite fresh, with hints of fruit and a certain
toastiness.
Starts out very soft; attractive and round on the palate. Not
very intense, but this wine's beautiful balance means that it
can be enjoyed as of now.
To drink now without
expecting any further improvement |
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1991
-Figeac did not make a great wine this year due to the frost on
April 21st. Only 2,000 cases of our second wine, –
La Grange Neuve de Figeac – were sold. |
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1990
- Deep colour just starting to brown slightly on the rim.
Powerful, fruity nose with a hint of perfectly integrated oak
and a slight menthol aroma conferring considerable freshness.
1990 Figeac starts off quite powerfully on the palate with a great
deal of roundness. It is very tannic and needs time to soften.
A strong, rich wine, but one that is also subtle and elegant.
Already attractive, but will age beautifully. |
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1989
- Deep, youthful colour.
Typical Figeac nose, with hints of spice, pepper, resin and cedar.
Starts out very straightforward on the palate with round, soft
tannin and lots of stuffing.
A great wine which
can be enjoyed now, but which also has enormous
ageing potential. |
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1988
- Lovely, deep red colour with the beginnings of brick-coloured
highlights.
The nose is fairly discrete but extremely complex, with hints
of oak, fruit and musk.
1988 Figeac is round and elegant on the palate. Its long and slightly
peppery aftertaste finishes with a very pleasant impression of
freshness.
To drink now or hold
for several years. |
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1987
- Beautiful light ruby-red colour with a healthy amount of brick-red.
Forward bouquet with hints of musk and leather.
Starts out soft on the palate, going into light tannin and good
balance.
Very nice to drink now,
and will gain nothing from further ageing. |
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1986
- Very pretty brick-red colour of medium intensity.
Delicate, lacy nose.
Starts out straightforward on the palate, with a lively tannic
taste, ending with a very long aftertaste.
To drink or to hold |
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1985
- Beautiful deep crimson colour just starting to show signs of
age.
Elegant, classy bouquet with lots of fruit, but also hints of
tobacco and spice.
85 Figeac starts out very refreshing on the palate. Altogether
very elegant with deliciously soft tannin.
Perfect for current drinking |
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1984
- Lovely colour with brick-red highlights. Not very dense.
Powerful bouquet of paprika and spice.
84 Figeac starts out very soft and pleasant on the palate. Very
smooth taste, but lacks density, and the aftertaste is somewhat
short.
Enjoyable to drink now. Very successful
for the vintage |
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1983
- Dark garnet-red colour with a complex bouquet of cherry, prune,
pear, spice and coffee.
Rich tannin, which accounts for the long and very elegant aftertaste.
This vintage is not as well-known as the famous 1982, but is nevertheless
excellent.
Figeac is often considered one of the great successes in 1983,
along with Chateau Margaux.
To drink or
to hold on to |
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1982
- Deep red colour with attractive brick-red highlights.
Powerful, dense, complex bouquet with aromas that go beyond fruitiness.
Very subtle.
Starts out quite full and powerful on the palate, going on to
show soft tannin and a very long aftertaste.
Should be aged longer, but already a pleasure to drink. A
very great Figeac |
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1981
- Lovely medium-deep colour.
A bouquet reminiscent of terroir and forest floor. Slightly
less elegant than the 82.
Starts off soft on the palate, then becomes more dense, with good
roundness and a persistent tannic aftertaste.
To drink now. |
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1980
- Light colour, almost like a "clairet"
Complex, elegant nose. Very good for the vintage..
Very round, charming, subtle and fresh.
To drink now, but this wine has
changed little in the past few years |
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1979
- This wine looks fairly old, but this is hardly surprising after
20 years!
Subtle candied fruit aromas.
Starts off beautifully soft, going into a round, plush flavour
with a deliciously long aftertaste.
Ideal for current drinking |
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1978
- Crimson colour showing its age.
Very forward and complex nose compared to the 79.
Starts off very well-defined on the palate and goes on to reveal
lots of tannin
This wine is taking time to age, and still needs ten more years.
Either drink now or wait |
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