Château Figeac, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion, 2018

Name: Château Figeac, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion
Brand: Château Figeac
Price: 4381.67 GBP

Available Vintages

all 1998 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023 2024

justerini & brooks tasting note

Frederic Faye was in an ebullient mood when we met in the makeshift tasting room at Figeac. He described the 2018 as a 'symphonie fantastique'. This could be said of any of the last few vintages of Figeac - this is a chateau back on top form. Figeac is quite unique in terms of its topography, terroir and cépage. The blend this year is 37% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is in part this diversity that gives the full orchestra effect. Frederic coined it a 'vintage of decision', it wasn't a year for procrastinators. Big decisions needed to be taken at key moments. Although conditions were perfect during harvest, pick dates were critical. In the winery they chose gentle macerations with no delestage or pigeage. No sulphates were used during the vinifications. And at blending, it required seven sessions to nail down the final assemblage. The result is spectacular. Initially one is hit by glorious aromas of flowers, crème de menthe, pure cassis, graphite and fine thyme. The texture is so fine and laced with delicate nuances; silky, juicy and pure. Waves of fruit flow over the palate - there is something sumptuous and kaleidoscopic about the fruit, yet there is a real authority and precision. The symphony all reaches a crescendo as the tannins gently grip the palate, staining the taste buds with pure crème de cassis and salty minerals. Encore!

critic reviews

97/100Lisa Perrotti-Brown,The Wine Independent

The 2018 Figeac has a deep garnet-purple color. It needs a lot of coaxing to reveal notes of minted blackberries, black cherry preserves, and boysenberries, plus hints of pencil lead, menthol, and cloves. Full-bodied, the palate is firm and fine-grained - built like a brick house - with tightly wound fruit and a long, minerally finish. It needs time!

DRINKING WINDOW 2026 - 2053

date of review 02/2023

97/100Jane Anson,Inside Bordeaux

Love this vibrant, succulent and welcoming Figeac, great reflection of an excellent vintage in St Emilion. Has plenty of juicy damson and raspberry fuits on the opening beats, with gourmet black pepper and smoked caramel, and velvety tannins that wrap themselves around the fruit and carry it right through the palate. Drawn out finish also, with flecks of lemongrass acidity and slate minerality. Well balanced yet succulent, a little atypical perhaps of Figeac in its upfront charms, but hard to disagree with - and the mint leaf finish brings things back into line. Harvest Sptember 17 to October 12, 100% new oak for ageing.

DRINKING WINDOW 2028 - 2045

date of review 04/2022

97/100Neal Martin,Vinous

The 2018 Figeac continues to not put a toe, let alone a foot, wrong under head winemaker Frédéric Faye. The bottle is closed initially, and in fact it was only the following morning that it began to unfold and reveal its true character. Quintessential Figeac on the nose, it offers blackberry, briar, pencil shavings courtesy of the Cabernet Sauvignon, and touch of terracotta. Beautifully defined, as we have come to expect these days; I might well confuse it for a Pomerol. The palate is medium-bodied and has soaked up the 100% new oak. Lithe tannins render this more approachable than the Figeacs of yesteryear, yet it maintains the same DNA. Elegant and refined, it gently fans out with pure, slightly tertiary black fruit and traces of clove and bay leaf. To quote my conclusion from barrel, it is still "cool, calm and collected" on the finish. Divine.

DRINKING WINDOW 2024 - 2055

date of review 03/2021