Chateau-Figeac

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

1er Grand Cru Classé B

last update : Sunday 27 November 2011

Archeologists have found evidence of winemaking at Figeac dating back to the 2nd century AD. In the 19th century, the original 200 hectare estate was divided into several plots for inheritance purposes, one of which went on to become the famous Cheval-Blanc.

The Manoncourt family now owns this Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru B. Figeac's unique terroir clearly differs from that located nearer to the medieval town. Along with Cheval-Blanc, Figeac is the only estate in Saint Emilion with a subsoil composed mainly of gravel (round pebbles), although a part of the vineyard also consists of aeolian sand similar to that found in the neighboring Pomerol appellation. Figeac's gravelly soil explains the high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, to which they are especially well-suited.

Vineyard and cellar work is always carried out with the greatest of care.

The introduction of various new techniques over the years - training the vines higher for maximum sun exposure in the 1940s, the use of vine cuttings as fertiliser in the 50s, the use of malolactic fermentations and treatment with synthetic fungicide in the 60s - abandoned today but quite popular at that time, stainless steel vats in the 70s, or the first online wine web site in the 90s, have given this estate an innovative image.

Great vintages of Figeac have rich aromas, impressive concentration, and a personality that sets them apart from other great wines of Saint-Emilion.

In the Bottle

Since the 1950s, and just about once a decade (1955, 1964, 1970, 1982, and 1990), Château Figeac has produced an exceptional vintage worthy of rivaling its neighbor, Cheval-Blanc. The quality of recent vintages continues to be largely above the Saint-Emilion average, and the first truly sumptuous Figeac from the 21st century is eagerly awaited.

The regularity of its wines is a very good value.

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WINE PRODUCED BY THE ESTATE

Château-Figeac, le Petit Figeac, la Grange Neuve de Figeac (second wine)

COMPARISON WITH AOC - SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU

Vintage	Absolute score	Relative score to the Appellation	Standard deviation

2009	94.2	103.0	2.05
2008	92.2	102.1	2.65
2007	91.7	102.9	2.56
2006	91.9	102.2	2.13
2005	89.8	102.1	5.22
2004	88.1	101.3	4.74
2003	87.3	101.2	5.42
2002	87.8	102.7	3.93
2001	88.0	103.9	4.54
2000	88.7	102.9	4.42
1999	87.9	102.9	6.58
1998	89.2	101.4	4.82
1997	86.2	100.2	4.67