Château Figeac St Emilion 2018
- we100
- jd98
- wa97+
- ws96
Category | Red Wine |
Varietals | |
Brand | Château Figeac |
Origin | France, Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion |
Alcohol/vol | 14% |
Other vintages
As a Premier Grand Cru Classé, Château Figeac embodies the excellence of Saint-Emilion wines throughout the world, and the estate has belonged to the Manoncourt family since 1892. The vineyard has an exceptional location, to the west of the Saint-Emilion appellation, on the fringe of the Pomerol appellation. The estate's vineyard covers 40 hectares of vines that are planted on three different gravelly hills. Respect for biodiversity and the flora and fauna are at the heart of the estate's concerns. The grape varieties are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The grapes are harvested by hand with the greatest care and are hand sorted in order to keep only the highest quality grapes. A long vatting period without extracting the astringent tannins. Vinification in wooden and stainless steel tanks with punching of the cap adapted to each plot. Maceration with an immersed cap, for the batches vinified in wooden tanks, favors a natural infusion and softens the tannins. The wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (100% new oak).
Wine Enthusiast
- we100
With its rich swathe of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has density and immense structure balanced by stunning black fruits that give impressive promise. This powerful wine is probably the greatest ever produced from this estate. Drink from 2027.
Jeb Dunnuck
- jd98
Reminiscent of the 2016 with its incredible purity and elegance, the 2018 Château Figeac offers a terrific perfume of crème de cassis, redcurrants, dried earth, tobacco, lead pencil, spring flowers, and exotic spice-driven nuances. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it's flawlessly balanced, has silky, polished tannins, and a stunning sense of purity. It doesn't have the sexiness of the 2015, but it's very much in the style of the 2018 vintage with its pure, elegant, haut couture-like style. And it doesn't show a hint of its 100% new oak élevage. Give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 20-30 years. It's not the biggest or richest Saint- Emilion, yet the balance, finesse, and elegance are something to behold. I think it's going to check in behind the 2015 (and maybe the 2019) when all is said and done, but it's unquestionably one of the greatest Figeac in the past 20-30 years. The blend is 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, raised all in new oak. Another big "Bravo" to the talented director, Frédéric Faye!
Wine Advocate
- wa97+
The 2018 Figeac is composed of 37% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc, with a 3.7 pH and 14% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple in color, it soars out of the glass with opening notes of freshly crushed red and black cherries, mulberries and ripe, juicy plums, followed by hints of violets, damp soil, cedar chest, crushed rocks and pencil shavings. The medium-bodied, elegantly styled palate features bags of freshness and exquisitely ripe, beautifully poised tannins to support the bright, energetic black and red fruit layers, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. This is absolutely recognizable as being cut from the same cloth as old-school Figeac, but all the recent vineyard and winemaking improvements have unveiled the beautifully ripe, intense, nuanced potential here. Bravo to managing director/winemaker Frédéric Faye and his team! Although there is a lot to love about this wine right now, give it 5-6 years for the oak to fully integrate and the underlying perfume suggestions to emerge, then enjoy over the next 20-25 years or more.
Wine Spectator
- ws96
Sleek and tightly focused, this is a racy style marked by a pure beam of cassis and cherry purée and infused with red tea, bergamot and bay hints. Very fresh and refined through the finish, with a long chalky thread lingering after everything else. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2038. 10,830 cases made.
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