Petit-Figeac Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020 - Second vin

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, which consists of Günzian gravel—the same type found in the Grand Cru Classés of the Left Bank. As a result, this Premier Cru Classé ages beautifully over time. Thierry Manoncourt, the driving force behind the estate for more than 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.

Decanter

About the wine:

Beautiful aromatic complexity on the nose, with floral and blackberry notes. The palate is juicy and alluring; the tannins are both chalky and fruity, with lovely density and liveliness. The mid-palate is beautifully precise, fruity, open, expressive, and vibrant, with great freshness that shines through in the glass. A joyful expression with aromas of strawberry, red currant, raspberry, and red cherry—all of enticing purity—structured and framed by woody notes. I love the hint of slate on the finish and the minerality that immediately places this wine in the category of Saint-Émilion wines. A wonderful introduction to Figeac with its own distinct personality. You can enjoy it now, but it has aging potential. Save a bottle to open when you have guests over—they’ll be impressed! 2024–2039

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Petit-Figeac 2020 offers aromas of black berries, black truffle, loamy soil, and cigar wrapper. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, complex, and flavorful, it is deep and elegant, with fine tannins and a lingering finish. Some 40,000 bottles were produced, and those not selected for bottling were sold in bulk. 2025–2045

About the estate:

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

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. These are wines of exceptional class, easy to drink, and with great length. Figeac shines in warm vintages (as the 2005 demonstrates) and only fully reveals itself after ten to fifteen years of aging. The completion of the new winery 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 facilities’ extreme functionality. Semi-underground and situated near the château with which it shares the elegance of a grand cru, this new facility—which blends majestically yet unostentatiously into the site—breathes new life into the estate. The château thus reaffirms the scope of its “modern” classicism, its unpretentious integrity, and its standing: that of the rare few at the very top. Its history, rooted in the legend of Saint-Émilion; the preserved trees of the park creating a perfect ecosystem; the power of its terroir with its unique topography and exceptionally high-quality clays; and the excellence of the new winery have earned the Manoncourt family estate a fourth star.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Very aromatic, with notes of cherry, hazelnut, and chocolate that carry through a medium-bodied palate, featuring very fine tannins and a fresh, vibrant finish. Lively and crisp. Figeac’s second wine. Hints of orange peel and graphite on the finish. A blend of 71% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ready to drink or for aging.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

I loved the 2020 Petit-Figeac, Château Figeac’s second wine. Blended from 71% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon, and aged for 14 to 15 months in 40% new oak, it offers a full-bodied, floral style—medium-bodied to full-bodied—that reflects the vintage’s purity and freshness. It is brimming with ripe red and black fruits, as well as herbs and flowers. This 2020 boasts a forward-thinking, sexy, and seamless style. It will be perfect for enjoying over the next 10 to 12 years, or even longer.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

On the nose, subtle, playful, and slightly flirtatious base notes, with bright top notes of blueberry, wild strawberry, licorice, and flower petals. Supple and agile on the palate, lively, with a vibrant heart of tart fruit, a silky texture, and a finish that lingers longer than expected. 2024–2034