Neil Martin, Robert Parker, August 2016 - 94P: Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property. The 1990 Figeac was drinking gloriously and this is perhaps the best bottle that I have tasted. It is noticeably deep in color, in fact, deeper and more lucid than many vintages from the 1980s. It reminds me of the Lafleur 1990 in some ways, with its very expressive Cabernet Franc that manifests black truffle and cigar ash scents. There is such clarity here. The palate is medium-bodied and full of degraded black, earthy fruit. There is weight and presence here, gently gripping the mouth with a long tobacco-tinged finish that is still very satisfying. There is something still "old school" about this Figeac, but it certainly would be my pick from this era. Tasted June 2015. Neil Martin, Vinous, December 2022 - 93P: The 1990 Figeac, poured at the château with the Manoncourt family, is similar to several recent bottles. This example retains those aromas of Earl Grey and truffle, perhaps not quite as vigorous as the previous example, yet it grows in the glass. The palate is well balanced, the bedrock of Cabernet imparting quite a Left Bank personality that deceives you into believing it comes from a cooler summer. Builds towards the finish, not as fine-tuned as recent vintages, yet it has presence and salinity on the finish. General information: Château Figeac is a prestigious wine estate located in the heart of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Bordeaux. As of 2022, it holds the highest rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the Saint-Émilion classification. Historical Significance The estate's history dates back to the second century during the Gallo-Roman period, when it was named after its owner Figeacus. Originally spanning 200 hectares, the estate has evolved significantly over centuries, with portions being sold to create other renowned estates, including parts of what is now Château Cheval Blanc. Estate Characteristics The property currently encompasses: - 54 hectares in total, with 41 hectares under vine- A unique terroir consisting of three Günzian gravel outcrops with blue clay subsoil- An average vine age of 35 years, with the oldest dating back to 1921 Distinctive Features The estate's wine stands out for its unique composition of grape varieties: - 35% Cabernet Sauvignon- 35% Cabernet Franc- 30% Merlot This unusual blend for Saint-Émilion, dominated by Cabernet varieties rather than Merlot, gives Figeac wines a character more reminiscent of Médoc and Graves, despite being on Bordeaux's right bank. Modern Era The Manoncourt family has owned the estate since 1892, marking nearly 130 years of continuous family ownership. A significant modernization program was completed in 2018, including the implementation of plot-by-plot vinification and gravity-flow systems. The estate maintains a strong commitment to sustainability and biodiversity, leaving nearly a quarter of its land unplanted to preserve the natural environment. Classification: In September 2022, Château Figeac was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé A, the highest rank in the Saint-Émilion classification. This makes it one of only two châteaux holding this prestigious status, alongside Château Pavie. Classification Context The Saint-Émilion classification, which is renewed every ten years, now distinguishes 85 properties in total: - 2 Premiers Grands Crus Classés A (Figeac and Pavie)- 12 Premiers Grands Crus Classés- 71 Grands Crus Classés Significance This promotion was particularly notable as it came at a time when several prestigious estates, including Château Angélus, Ausone, and Cheval Blanc, had withdrawn from the classification system. The elevation to Premier Grand Cru Classé A status has had a significant impact on Figeac's market value, with wine prices rising 47.1% in the three years leading up to the classification.
