Chateau Figeac (Futures Pre-Sale) 2022
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Winemaker Notes
Château-Figeac owes its distinctive character to the unique combination of Gunzian gravel outcrops and clay subsoil, several microclimates and the mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot planted in the vineyard. This unusual blend, with its majority two-thirds Cabernet, gives the wine both structure and refinement, freshness and smoothness. Since the early years of the present century the wine has become more approachable in its youth, offering a more caressing mouthfeel, without losing its incomparable uprightness over the years. Its ability to age for decades is quite exceptional, revealing an inimitable and complex bouquet as the years go by.
Blend: 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Figeac is a brilliant wine with which to celebrate this property's elevation to Premier Grand Cru Classé "A" status. Wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries and cassis mingled with notions of iris, forest floor, cigar wrapper and pencil lead, it's medium to full-bodied, pure and perfumed, with a deep and multidimensional core of fruit, bright acids and beautifully refined tannins. Serious yet civilized, it's the quintessential Figeac, testament to the late Thierry Manoncourt's vision to plant such a large proportion of Cabernet, and on drought-resistant rootstocks. Such is the inherent complexity of Figeac's terroirs that harvest took place sub-block by sub-block between September 1st and 25th. Congratulations are in order for the Manoncourt family, director Frédéric Faye, consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos and all their team.
Barrel Sample: 98-100 -
Decanter
An incredibly impressive wine in 2022 shaping up to be the wine of the vintage not only as it seems to defy the hot and dry conditions in every way but delivers such confidence and charm it makes it hard to resist. Gorgeous aromatic expression on the nose, open and alive, generous scents of bright bramble fruit and floral notes as well as graphite and cedar. Smooth, supple and generous on the palate, tannins are silky and perfectly weighted giving roundness but also structure with a red berry juiciness and saline bite that is so compelling. Vibrant, dynamic, balanced and precise, the energy is outstanding yet there’s still depth, weight and power underneath. There's not a single thing out of place - utterly seductive and totally moreish. A great effort from the estate now proudly displaying their upgrade to St-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A for the first time as of the new classification. 3.7pH. 8% press wine. 82% grand vin production. Harvest 1 - 26 September, the earliest ever.
Barrel Sample: 98-100 -
James Suckling
This is the earliest ever harvest for Figeac and the fruit is something else. Flowers such as violets. Blackberries. Currants. Cherry blossom. Full-bodied with lovely freshness and depth. Crunchy and juicy. Perfect al dente fruit. 35% merlot , 34% cabernet franc and 31% cabernet sauvignon.
Barrel Sample: 97-98 -
Jeb Dunnuck
A beautiful wine that, shockingly, reminds me of the 2016, the 2022 Château Figeac checks in as 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon that was harvested from the 1st of September to the 25th. Director Frédéric Faye commented that verasion took longer than usual, and they had to do a slight green harvest to get uniform ripeness. The results are stunning. The wine has a vivid purple hue as well as remarkable freshness and purity in its black and blue fruits, which are followed by notes of wild herbs, chocolate, graphite, spring flowers, and a touch of classic Cabernet Sauvignon graphite. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a silky, elegant mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. This classic, ultra-precise Figeac is going to warrant a solid decade of bottle age and be very long-lived given its purity and balance.
Barrel Sample: 96-98+
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Figeac is a very ancient property. In the 2nd century, the Figeacus family gave its name to the estate. Traces of their Gallo-Roman villa still exist today. In the 15th century, Figeac was one of five noble houses in Saint-Emilion and passed from the Lescours family, who at that time also owned Ausone, into the hands of the Cazes family, who transmitted it through marriage to the Carles in the 17th century. Acquired by the Manoncourt Family in 1892, it was a son of the family, Thierry Manoncourt, who realized the estate's enormous potential upon his arrival in 1943. An agricultural engineer, he was a prioneer in viticulture and oenology, implementing many new technologies and methods – many of which are still used today. Thanks to his ceaseless efforts, Château-Figeac was classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in the first Classification of St. Emilion in 1955. After his passing in 2010, his wife, Madame Manoncourt, and two of their daughters still live on and run the estate, ably supported by highly skilled team. New technical facilities, including a large vat-room, two barrel cellars, an R&D cellar, and much more, were inaugurated in 2021. In 2022, Figeac received the "A" distinction in the Classification of Saint-Emilion, becoming one of two 1er Grand Cru Classé "A," fulfilling the life-long dream of M. Manoncourt and affirming the estate's exceptional terroir and wines.
Figeac is among the largest estates of Saint-Emilion, covering 54 hectares (133 acres) in one block, including 41 hectares (101 aceres) of vineyards as well as its preserved green spaces, including forest, prairie, waterways, and a plethora of flora and fauna. Figeac's terroir is unique within the appellation, principally composed of deep, pure gravel over blue-clay subsoil. This unusual terroir allows for a very rare planting in the vineyard: just one-third of Merlot, one-third Cabernet Sauvignon, and one-third Cabernet Franc. Its wines are renowned for their purity and freshness, with complex aromatic structure and extremely long ageing potential.