Château Figeac - St.-Emilion 2016 (750ml)
Price: $315.00
| Producer | Château Figeac |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Subregion | St Emilion |
| Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Sku | 1005455 |
| Size | 750ml |
Jeb Dunnuck: 98+ Points
Another brilliant wine from the genius of Frédéric Faye the 2016 Château Figeac checks in as 38% Cabernet Sauvignon 36% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc that spent 19 months in new French oak. Roughly 75% of the production made it into the grand vin. This deeply colored beauty is a legendary wine in the making and offers ultra-pure aromas and flavors of crème de cassis smoke tobacco dried herbs chocolate truffle and graphite. Showing more violets notes with time in the glass it builds incrementally on the palate with flawless balance as well as incredible elegance no hard edges and a finish that won't quit. Readers will have a blast comparing the 2016 and 2015 vintages over the coming 3-4 decades and this estate is firing on all cylinders. This will most likely merit a triple-digit rating in 7-8 years and keep for 4 decades or more.
Vinous: 100 Points
100 pts: The 2016 Figeac was bottled at the end of July 2018 since Frédéric Faye wanted to give the wine more time in barrel to develop more harmony. The stunning 24-carat bouquet rivets you to the spot with brilliant delineation and mineral-rich red fruit that articulates its terroir as well as any Right Bank you will find. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannin perfect acidity wonderfully integrated new oak and enormous depth toward the fresh pencil-box- and cedar-infused finish. This is a classic Figeac up there with the 1947 and 1949 both recently re-tasted and testifying to a wine that genuinely belongs among the elite Saint-Émilions. Faye believes it is the best Figeac he has ever made. He is correct. Neal Martin. Tasting date: December 2018 98+pts: The 2016 Figeac is simply extraordinary. A wine of pure energy and vitality the 2016 pulses with a real sense of drive. Lavender mint crème de cassis and cedar start to develop in the glass but what is most remarkable about the 2016 is its total sense of harmony. There is natural tension a sort of push and pull between t
Wine Enthusiast: 97-99 Points
"97?99. Barrel Sample. This aromatic wine is magnificent in its balance and richness. With its high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (38%) it is so typical of this estate. The tannins are velvety while packing a firm punch. Dark and concentrated it is a great wine for long-term aging."
James Suckling: 96-97 Points
"Splendid texture and finesse to this young Figeac with a pure silk texture. Full-bodied and ultra-fine. Lovely combination of fruit and freshness. The polish is gorgeous to this. Precision redefined. Pretty follow-up to the 2015."
jdWine Advocate: 97+ Points
The 2016 Figeac is comprised of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon 36% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored the nose is a little broody and reticent at this very youthful stage slowly unfolding to reveal profound plum preserves crème de cassis black raspberries and star anise with hints of moss-covered bark truffles and tilled loam plus a waft of red currants and raspberry leaves sparks. Medium to full-bodied the palate is practically quivering with energy offering glimpses at tightly wound black fruit and mineral/ferrous layers framed by very firm ripe tannins and wonderful tension finishing long with the spices coming through. This will need a good 7-8 years to come round and then should cellar for 40+ years. Very serious beautifully poised and sophisticated personality this vintage. ?There was a little more water stress in 2016 than in 2018? Frédéric Faye mentioned. ?The cooler nights here helped us to avoid too much water stress this year. We are not de-leafing a lot now?just on one side to expose the grapes to the morning sun but we do not de-leaf on the afternoon sun side where it can get very hot.? Figeac continues along its upward trajectory in terms of heights of greatness and consistency. Faye has adeptly managed to maintain the energy in the wines that is a signature of Figeac while revealing more layers polishing the tannins and ultimately offering slightly more muscle to the fruit core. Once his considerable efforts in the vineyards really kick in and the new winery is completed I am incredibly excited to see what the future holds for this historic truly special place.
Wine Spectator: 96 Points
A gutsy fully endowed wine brimming with dark currant warm fig and steeped blackberry notes as well as waves of smoldering tobacco and warm gravel. Features a serious bass line but everything works together while flecks of savory and iron dart in and out. Best from 2025 through 2040. From France.?J.M.
