Freshness and intense aromas, a charming Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé wine by Château-Figeac
The estate
As a Premier Grand Cru Classé, Château-Figeac embodies the excellence of Saint-Emilion's fine wines throughout the world. Château-Figeac has belonged to the Manoncourt family since 1892.
The vineyard
Château-Figeac enjoys 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 vintage
Although the end of 2010 was marked by a significant amount of rainfall, which helped to replenish the estate’s water reserves, the winter of 2010 was particularly cold and dry. Starting at the beginning of April, budburst was even but slow due to the low temperatures. The fruit set, was also slowed down due to the fluctuationd during the month of June. In July and August, the milder conditions ensured the optimal ripening of the grapes and the temperature variations between daytime and nighttime resulted in a perfect synthesis of polyphenols. Veraison occurred rapidly and the vineyard was in perfect condition. Manual harvesting is carried out based on the ripeness of each plot. The harvested grapes are well-balanced and have a nice aromatic complexity, while still showcasing a pleasant freshness.
The vinification and ageing
The grapes are harvested by hand with the greatest care and are optically 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, favours a natural infusion and softens the tannins. The wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (100% new oak).
The blend
1/3 Merlot, 1/3 Cabernet Franc, 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Château-Figeac 2010: Characteristics and tasting tips
The tasting
Nose
The nose gives off elegant, fruity and floral fragrances.
Palate
Round and smooth, this wine seduces the palate with its intense fruity expression, its fine tannins and its great freshness.
Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property and then in Bordeaux a year later. The 2010 Figeac was a problem child in its youth, very variable and difficult to pin down, vexing on occasion. Now with a couple of years in bottle, it is really beginning to show what it can do and it far surpassed my expectations. Certainly, it is more withdrawn on the nose compared to the more generous 2009 Figeac. The aromatics are holding everything back. Then, with continued aeration it reveals a subtle marine influence--seaweed and sea spray scents, estuary mudflats. The palate is medium-bodied with moderate depth, but what really distinguishes this wine are the fineness of the tannin, the symmetry of the structure and freshness on the finish, facets hitherto kept secret. As such, it surpasses the 2009, the weightless but intense finish beckoning you to take another sip. The aromatics need to up their game and match what's evolving on the palate--if they do, this will be a very serious Figeac. Tasted July 2016.