Château Figeac 2015 -1er Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

With 35% Cabernet Franc and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, Figeac—located on the gravelly plateau bordering Pomerol—is often described as the most Médoc-like of the Saint-Émilions. The wine’s uniqueness stems from its central terroir, composed of Günzian gravel, the same type found in the Grand Crus Classés of the Left Bank. As a result, this Premier Cru Classé ages beautifully over time. Thierry Manoncourt, the soul of the estate for over sixty years, gave it a much-needed boost. Since 2013, Marie-France Manoncourt, Thierry’s widow, has formed a new management team with her daughters. Under the capable leadership of director Frédéric Faye, the estate has reached the pinnacle of the Right Bank.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

This great wine never ceases to amaze with its style and character. The sunny 2015 vintage allowed the wine to express all the finesse associated with its terroir and the complexity derived from its blend—comprising 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Cabernet Franc for this vintage. After eighteen months of aging in new oak, the wine displays a deep, vibrant color with youthful violet highlights. On the nose, fresh notes of black fruit are accompanied by the spicy character of Cabernet Sauvignon and the floral notes of Cabernet Franc. Delicate oak with hints of chocolate and mocha rounds out this profile. On the palate, the juicy flesh of the Merlot gives this wine a rare fullness and a velvety texture, while elegant, still firm tannins lend it length and suggest a very long aging potential.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The recent changes implemented at this great estate have resulted in a dramatic increase in intensity and complexity—without compromising the husky, soft, and sensual character that defines Figeac—making the 2015 vintage a monumental achievement. Kudos to Frédéric Faye and his team for so masterfully capturing what was clearly an extraordinary vintage at Château Figeac! A blend of 29% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 28% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple Figeac 2015 reveals vibrant notes of black cherries, blackcurrants, red currants, black plums, and licorice, with hints of cigar boxes, bouquet garni, potpourri, damp earth, and black pepper. Medium-bodied, delicately crafted, and featuring nuanced, intense layers of bright red and black fruits, the palate presents a solid framework of polished, rounded tannins and unwavering freshness,

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Very dark, undeniably sunny, and immensely powerful, this wine combines the voluptuousness of a superb texture with the commanding length of the Cabernets (43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Cabernet Franc). It has, however, refined considerably during aging, regaining the structured tension characteristic of Figeac—a development that will reassure the château’s aficionados. It has excellent aging potential.

About the estate:

Based on an atypical blend—with equal parts Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot—Figeac’s unique and distinctive style embodies the quintessence of elegance and refinement found in the wines of the western plateau that Saint-Émilion shares with Pomerol. Figeac possesses a character all its own, often more austere and compact than that of its neighbors in its youth. Wines of exceptional character, easy to drink and long-lasting. Figeac shines in warm vintages (as the 2005 proves) and only fully reveals itself after ten to fifteen years of aging. The construction of the new cellar, completed in time for the 2020 harvest, has allowed for even greater attention to detail regarding the plots—even down to the intra-plot level—and delights Frédéric Faye with the extreme functionality of the facilities. Semi-underground and situated near the château with which it shares the elegance of a grand cru, this new facility—which fits majestically yet unostentatiously into the site—breathes new life into the location. The château thus reaffirms the scope of its “modern” classicism, its unpretentious integrity, and its standing: that of the rare first-rate estates. Its history rooted in the legend of Saint-Emilion; the preserved trees of the park creating a perfect ecosystem; the power of its terroir with its unique topography and exceptionally high-quality clay soils; and the excellence of the new winery have earned the Manoncourt family estate a fourth star.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Dominated by the two Cabernets—Sauvignon and Franc—this is a beautifully structured wine. Firm tannins and ripe blackcurrants give it a fragrant, ripe, dense, and impressive character. The wine has enormous potential, with powerful tannins and fruit. Best enjoyed starting in 2027.

Jancis Robinson

James Suckling

About the wine:

Fabulous aromas of blackberries, black licorice, and lavender. Hints of rose petals as well. Full-bodied, deep, and powerful, with a velvety, supple tannic texture. Long and caressing. Robust and well-balanced. It will take until 2022 to fully come together, but it is already a modern, concentrated Figeac.

Jeb Dunnuck