Château Figeac Saint-Emilion 2018 - 1er Grand Cru Classé B

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

An absolute wine of refinement in all areas, with more aromatic freshness than the legendary 2016 and a purity of persistence provided by sublime Cabernets.

About the domain :

With 35% Cabernet Franc and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, it's often said that Figeac, located on the gravelly plateau bordering Pomerol, is the most Medoc-like of all Saint-Emilions. The originality of this cru lies in its central terroir, which is composed of Günzian gravel, the same as that found in the Left Bank Grands Crus Classés. As a result, this premier cru classé evolves perfectly over time. Thierry Manoncourt, the soul of the cru for over sixty years, gave it a salutary boost. Since 2013, Thierry's widow Marie-France Manoncourt and her daughters have formed a new management board. Under the capable direction of Frédéric Faye, the estate has reached the pinnacle of the Right Bank.

Decanter

About the wine:

It still exudes the freshness and exuberance of its primeurs, with scents of blackcurrant, raspberry and crushed strawberry, as well as a delicate floral touch. The new oak is perfectly integrated, adding a subtle smoky note. The attack is surprisingly creamy, heralding a full-bodied texture enveloping perfectly polished tannins, allied to finely dosed acidity that together give impetus to an intense yet light finish imbued with freshness. This is a truly remarkable wine that will certainly develop an even more velvety mouthfeel in the years to come. Well done. 2025-2050

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Figeac is unique because of its grape varieties, driven by outstanding Cabernets. It is also unique in its personality and constitution, always assured of legendary ageing potential. In 2018, the cru lives up to its reputation, with a charming nose of black fruits, sweet spices and violets, enhanced by a hint of licorice. The energetic, very fresh attack immediately places the wine in a posture of great intensity; the framework unfolds perfectly, in absolute class, unhindered, supported by accomplished tannins of great finesse. Complete and complex, measured in its power and endowed with a model mastery of ageing, Figeac remains an absolute. 2025-2040

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the domain :

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

From an atypical grape variety, with parity between Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Figeac's unique, personal style represents the quintessential elegance and refinement of the wines of the western plateau that Saint-Émilion shares with Pomerol. Figeac has a character all its own, often more austere and compact than its neighbors when young. Wines of exceptional breed, digestible and long. Figeac shines in warm vintages (as the 2005 proves) and only reveals its full potential after ten to fifteen years of cellaring. The construction of the new winery, completed for the 2020 harvest, has enabled us to delve even deeper into the details of each parcel of land, and has delighted Frédéric Faye with the extreme functionality of the facilities. Semi-buried, and close to the château with which it shares the elegance of the grand cru, this new tool, which fits majestically but without ostentation into the site, refreshes the place. The château thus confirms the extent of its "modern" classicism, its straightforwardness without artifice, and its rank: that of the rare premiers. Its history, rooted in the legend of Saint-Emilion; the park's preserved trees, creating a perfect eco-system; the power of its terroir with its unique relief and extremely qualitative clays; and the relevance of the new winery all earn the Manoncourt family's estate a fourth star.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

With its rich layer of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has density and immense structure, balanced by stunning black fruits that hint at an impressive future. This powerful wine is probably the greatest ever produced by this estate. Drink from 2027.

James Suckling

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

An invitation to travel, with a sumptuous nose of trembling fruit, ranging from red to black to blue. Notes of blackcurrant, elderberry and redcurrant, followed by soft, exhilarating flowers. Absolute magic on the palate, beginning with breathtaking delicacy and ending with beautifully restrained power. First in a trio of Figeacs at the pinnacle of this beautiful terroir, the 2018 possesses the sensuality of luxurious black lace, corseting its fine, sumptuous, chiseled body. Voluptuous black fruit, with incredible freshness, gracefully yields to wisps of exotic spice and mineral accents, for an unsettling finish.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Superb, brilliantly complex, multi-faceted bouquet. Floral and spicy nuances with hints of violets and black pepper are followed by fruity notes of blueberries, raspberries and cherries, respectively with plenty of freshness. Beautiful tannic structure on the palate, where the wine stands out for the finesse of its tannins and the breed of its structure. Freshness, vigor and energy. One could speak of a delicacy or even a deliciousness in phase with the tannic power. The juicy touch becomes salvific; together with the liveliness of the acidity and the powerful but polished tannins (they're well bred!) the result is an exceptional symbiosis and an interminable fruity persistence on the finish, where the cherry notes support and underline the aromatic finesse. This is a great Figeac. 2026-2058

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is racy, elegant and offers lovely definition, complexity, precision, purity of fruit, concentration (with finesse), finesse of grain and concentration (with elegance and complexity). Notes of bright blackberry, small blue berries and, more slightly, graphite, bright blackcurrant are combined with hints of ripe black plum, toast, nutmeg and a discreet touch of flowers, pepper and an imperceptible hint of camphor. The palate is fruity, fresh, balanced, suave and offers lovely definition, purity of fruit, depth, elegance, fleshiness/pulpiness, power, a lovely touch, a certain straightness (in finesse) and a lovely sense of detail. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/fresh/ripe blackcurrant, blueberry and, to a lesser extent, bright/fresh black berries, combined with hints of red berries (cherry, raspberry) and toasty notes, chocolate, bright redcurrant, graphite, caramelization, toasted hazelnut, discreet hints of vanilla, blueberry, lily, racy minerality, very discreet hints of sweet blond tobacco and mild spices. The tannins are well-defined, elegant, very finely firm and racy. Beautiful persistence and length. Subtle chewiness and a hint of crushed almond on the finish.