Chateau Figeac 2020

Buy the Chateau Figeac 2020 from Bottle & Glass Wine Merchants.

One of my favourite producers, Chateau Figeac is one of the largest wine estates in Saint Emilion on Bordeaux’s right bank. Located on soils comprising mostly of gravel, unlike other right bank producers, the wines of Chateau Figeac are cabernet sauvignon dominant. The history of this estate dates to the 2nd century, with the remains of a Roman villa still present on the property. Before the French revolution Figeac was owned by the well-known Vital Carles family and at one point the estate spanned over 200ha. During the 19th century it was broken up, the reason why so many surrounding estates bear the name Figeac. The Figeac vineyard is a single parcel with three gravelly outcrops that run from north to south. Grapes are usually harvested late due to the majority being cabernet, before being sorted fastidiously and fermented using natural yeasts in wooden vats. The wines are then aged in entirely new oak for 15 to 18 months.

The estate was rated as Grand Cru Classé (B) in the original St Emilion Classification of 1955 and in 2022 was elevated to St-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A, the highest ranking.

The Chateau Figeac 2020 was purchased en-primeur and has been stored in a temperature-controlled cabinet since arrival in Sydney.

"The 2020 Figeac is the finest wine that has been bottled to date at this estate since its renaissance began a decade ago. Wafting from the glass with aromas of blackberries and raspberries mingled with cigar wrapper, pencil shavings, licorice and black truffles, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a suave, harmonious profile, vibrant acids, and beautifully refined structuring tannins. This sapid, complex wine represents the essence of this great terroir. Two years after extensive soil studies of the estate were carried out, and the first growing season to see cover crops used in the vineyards year-round, the 2020 benefited from more coherently demarcated parcels and more precise élevage, which taken together help to account for its edge over the excellent 2019. 2030 - 2065."
100 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate, April 2023.

"A mesmerizing nose here with flowers such as violets and red roses, then shows cherries and currants with some mineral and black truffles. Full-bodied yet so refined and harmonized with ultra-fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Flavors of perfectly ripened fruit (al dente) with a hazelnut character that comes from the seeds. Incredibly transparent young red. Breathtaking. 37% merlot, 32% cabernet franc and 31% cabernet sauvignon. Drink after 2028 and onwards. Magnificent."
100 points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, May 2023.
No. 4 in James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of 2023.

"A blend of 37% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 Figeac has a deep garnet-purple color. It is completely shut-down and silent to begin, requiring a vigorous shake to release nuances of boysenberries, Morello cherries, fresh, crunchy plums, and sassafras, followed by an emerging waft of plum preserves, licorice, chargrill, and violets. The medium-bodied palate is so, so tightly knit, delivering a millefeuille of black and red berries, minerals, earth, and floral notes, with electric tension and very fine-grained, exquisitely ripe tannins, finishing long, long, long. Atomic!"
99 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, March 2023.