Château Figeac 2018

This still exudes the freshness and exuberance that the wine had during the primeur stage with its scents of blackcurrant, raspberry, and crushed strawberry along with a delicate floral touch. The new oak is perfectly integrated while imparting a subtle smoky note. The attack is surprisingly creamy, announcing a full-bodied texture wrapped around perfectly polished tannins allied with fine-judged acidity that together provide thrust leading to a finish that is intense yet light-footed and infused with freshness. This is a truly remarkable wine that will surely develop an even more velvety mouthfeel in years to come. Bravo. - Yohan Castaing.

Rouge grenat dense aux reflets violets. Belle intensité du bouquet avec de la fraîcheur et du fruit. Notes florale, bois de réglisse et baies rouges. Caractère élégant, invitant. Attaque juteuse et friande. Beaucoup de précision et de caractère en bouche. Le vin est doté d’une tension qui souligne la fraîcheur et le fruit, tandis que les tannins se révèlent lentement et affiche un caractère net, clair, serrés et fin. Très belle intensité aromatique, dès la mise en bouche et jusqu’en finale. Parfaite entente entre la race de la structure et les tannins. Ceux-ci marquent la fin de bouche, mais pas d’une manière exubérante ; ils sont juste imposants dans leur manière de se poser et de prendre place, subtilement, grâce à la finesse du grain. Belle symbiose avec la structure acide ce qui conforte l’expression aromatique de la finale qui souligne la fraîcheur de Figeac 2018. Une très grande réussite. 2026-2048.

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. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown