Bordeaux Theme
Live Virtual Auction, 26 March 2023
Bordeaux Fine Wine
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
The estate of Château Figeac dates back to the 2nd century AD to a family by the name of Figeacus. Some fixtures of the estate (such as its doors and windows) which still remain today, can be dated back to the year 1,000. Over the years, Figeac has had a number of different owners who have bought and sold different parcels and plots. This is the reason why many surrounding chateaux have Figeac in their name. Figeac was rated as Premier Grand Cru Classé (B) in the 1955 Saint-Émilion Classification – a status it retained through every subsequent iteration of the classification until 2022, when it was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé (A). The wine is widely considered to have markedly improved since World War II under the ownership of Thierry Manoncourt, becoming one of the most sought-after Right Bank Bordeaux reds.
In more modern times, Figeac has produced some outstanding vintages. The 2012, 2015 and 2016 vintages all stand out and are said to have produced some of the best wines in the history of the estate. The estate covers 54 hectares in total and is planted with the unique combination of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon - uncommon in the Bordeaux area.
Provenance
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Critics Ratings
‘Red with a touch of brick at the rim. Ripe and round with plenty of fruit still in evidence. Majestic bouquet with dark- and red-fruit notes and a hint of leafy freshness. Sweetness on attack then firms up and focuses becoming long and linear. Fine tannins and notable freshness on the finish. Hitting its stride but still a way to go.’ - James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Mar 2022)
‘The predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon in Figeac has won out in 2005. It shows in the delicious black currant fruits and very fresh, vibrant acidity. The tannins, curiously, are less apparent—maybe all that fruit overwhelms them. Only on the finish is there some austerity and firmness.’ – Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 93/100 (Jun 2008)
'This is plush and warm in feel, with lots of currant and fig preserve flavors rolling through, inlaid with tobacco, warm stone and bittersweet cocoa notes. Shows a hefty dose of roasted alder on the finish, but in general this has been absorbed, making this a step ahead in terms of evolution, but there's no rush, as a racy iron streak is just starting to show up. Drink now through 2035.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (2018)