Château Figeac 1er Grand Cru Classé A 1996

Lot presentation

Château Figeac 1er Grand Cru Classé A 1996

The wine

The wine is aged entirely in new oak casks, and is a masterful blend of three noble Bordeaux region grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon contributes structure and a distinct mineral backbone, Cabernet Franc lends its hallmark finesse, while Merlot brings charm and fullness. Tannic and yet seductive even in its first youth, Figeac’s wine then evolves a refined, silky, concentrated, rich character, with subtle aromas of cedar, black fruit and mint. A graphite note adds both depth and energy, lending further refinement. Certain venerable older vintages are still remarkably youthful today: 1911, 1924, 1949, 1953, 1964, 1975… This is a wine of true stature, best appreciated after several years of ageing and ideally paired with dishes of equal nobility.

The property's history is linked to another Premier Grand Cru Classé: in the 1830s, a choice 30-hectare plot from Figeac's vineyard was sold and 20 years later became the illustrious Cheval Blanc. Of all Saint Emilion's wines, Château Figeac is considered to be the one most in the Médoc style. The reason is that, unlike most of the appellation's other Premier Grand Crus Classés, which are situated on clay-limestone soil, Château Figeac benefits from gravelly soil, similar to that in the Médoc. This geological configuration, so unusual for Saint Emilion, gives Figeac an exceptional elegance. Another distinction is that while most of the appellation is planted with Merlot as the dominant variety, Figeac has mainly Cabernet (35% Cabernet Franc and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon). However, these particularities are not the only reason for the property's success; man has without doubt played a role: from 1943, Thierry Manoncourt (who died in 2010) managed the property in a masterful fashion, always focusing on optimizing the quality of the harvests. Together with Châteaux Latour and Haut Brion, he introduced the stainless steel vat, and numerous technical procedures. The effect of these innovations quickly became apparent in the enhanced quality of the wines, and his example was followed by many of his contemporaries. From the 1990s, Thierry Manoncourt left the operational management of the property to his daughter Laure and son-in-law Eric d'Armon, but maintained a strong presence until his death in 2010. Since 2012, Château Figeac has started a new chapter. Jean-Valmy Nicolas is co-manager. Frédéric Faye, working for Figeac since 2002, became director of the château in 2013 and is supported by technical director Romain Jean-Pierre, vineyard manager Christophe Lafon, and cellar master Jean Albino.