Chateau Figeac Premier Grand Cru Classe A, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017

The 2017 Figeac is outrageously beautiful. Rich, deep and ample, the 2017 soars out of the glass with vertical intensity and explosive power. The flavours are just pulsing with energy. Time in the glass brings out a captivating range of lavender, spice, mint and rose petal overtones. The 2017 Figeac is a towering achievement from Technical Director Frédéric Faye and his team. When Michel Rolland was appointed consulting winemaker some years back, many feared the personality of Figeac would be lost. It is impossible for an outsider to truly know how small or large the impact of a single person is, but Figeac has indisputably been one of the very finest wines of the Right Bank over these last few years. The 2017 is a real "wow" wine; don't miss it.

Drink 2027 - 2047

The 2017 possesses a more earthy character than 2018 and 2019, but it is also endowed with finely focused aromas of black fruit, spice, and a hint of tobacco mingling with notes of menthol, graphite, and cedar. It impresses even more on the palate for its crystalline edge and purity and a taut but fine-boned structure. The overall impression is a devilishly seductive wine that even has a certain delicacy belying its real cellaring potential for up to twenty or even thirty years. Compelling proof that the underrated 2017 vintage produced some great Bordeaux wines.

Drink 2025 - 2050

The grand vin is the 2017 Chateau Figeac, which was made only from first-generation grapes and is 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and only 10% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in new French oak. It offers a beautiful bouquet of creme de cassis, tobacco, violets, and tobacco, with a touch of forest floor and earth. Made in a pure, elegant, medium-bodied style, it's beautifully textured, seamless and elegant, with silky tannins and a solid spine of acidity.

Drink 2024 - 2044

Production was down by half this year—only producing 55,000 bottles. 

Made from 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple coloured 2017 Figeac gives up expressive notes of black cherries, plum preserves, black raspberries and kirsch, giving way to hints of dried leaves, cinnamon toast and warm cassis plus a waft of lavender. Medium-bodied, the palate has wonderful vibrancy with a refreshing line cutting through the crunchy black fruits and a firm, finely-grained frame, finishing long and spicy.

Drink 2023 - 2050

Deep nose of black fruit and savoury notes, together with a hint of leather. Impressive concentration and ripeness for the vintage. The acidity is lively but discreet, the fine tannins driving the long and focused finish. Pronounced liquorice note right at the end.

Drink or hold

The 2017 Figeac was picked from 5 September until 3 October according to winemaker Frédéric Faye. It has a dense blackcurrant and raspberry-scented bouquet with touches of mint and potpourri developing with aeration. This has very fine definition. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, superb density and very fresh. A vibrant, minty finish lingers in the mouth. It is very backward of course, but there is such convincing energy locked in this wine. Great potential.

Drink 2025 - 2055

Harvest September 7 to October 3, 100% new oak for ageing.

A frost year giving an atypical blend with extremely low Cabernet Franc. Heavy smoke aromatics on the opening beats, with firm tannins at this point, concentrated keeping everything in line. Holds its core and it opens in waves of cassis, bilberry, campfire, rose stem and tobacco leaf. Mouthwatering slate finish.

Drink 2025 - 2044