Château-Figeac 2022

Radiantly clear on the nose, with a whole basket of fresh cassis berries, a Cabernet scent with spice and floral notes that gives you goosebumps; silky-smooth on the attack, almost harmless at first, then it grips, the tannins enfold the ripe fruit, immensely compact, of lofty grandeur and with excellent length. The 2022 vintage at Figeac will go down in history not only for its A classification.

The 2022 Figeac is one of the wines of the vintage. Unfurling in the glass with a deep and complex bouquet of dark berries and cassis mingled with hints of violet, pencil lead, mint and cigar wrapper, it's medium to full-bodied, dense and concentrated, with striking intensity and sweetness of fruit married with unerring precision and energy, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Abundant but exquisitely filigreed tannins lend a sense of classicism and proportion to a wine that might otherwise be flamboyant. As I wrote from barrel, it's the quintessential Figeac, testament to the late Thierry Manoncourt's vision to plant such a large proportion of Cabernet, and on drought-resistant rootstocks. Such is the inherent complexity of Figeac's terroirs that harvest took place sub-block by sub-block between September 1st and 25th. Could the result be a contemporary version of the estate's magical 1949?

This wowed during Primeurs and it has maintained its promise now it's been bottled. Gloriously alive with a beautifully expressive nose – dark fruit, liquorice and floral scents. The energy on the palate is incredible – this pulses with life given the high acidity and juicy red berry fruit, but it also has a touch of creaminess alongside softly fleshy tannins that give weight and structure. There’s power and concentration, almost hidden beneath the cooling freshness and such a charming texture. Effortless winemaking on show, taking the best of the vintage in terms of ripeness while delivering a seriously sophisticated expression that is just so moreish. I love it. A perfect wine.

35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. A signature Figeac, the Cabernet coming through on the nose and palate. Floral, cassis and graphite notes. Plenty of energy, the fruit juicy and rich but not excessive. Ripe, abundant tannins behind. Long, persistent finish. Just a hint of oak in the background. (JL)

During its time in the barrel, the wine has blossomed, gaining a bit more structure on the palate, making it an excellent candidate for aging while maintaining its sensual character. The levels of depth, richness, opulence, and vibrancy are remarkable, enhanced by seemingly endless waves of black, blue, and red fruits, showcasing their natural spiciness and purity. The smooth finish extends to the 60-second mark and continues on! This is the first vintage for Chateau Figeac as Premier Cru Classe A. With this wine, it is clear they deserve it. The wine blends 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2029-2065.

Deep dark ruby in colour with an opaque core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, aromas of ripe black plum, dark cherry, underpinned with nuances of cassis and tobacco, a touch of candied tangerine zest, and delicate fine oak. The palate is juicy and elegant with polished tannins, fine acidity, and notes of ripe cherry and blackcurrant fruit, with a citric, saline minerality on the lengthy finish. Definite ageing potential.

An absolute legend of a wine, the 2022 Château Figeac is based on 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon that saw malolactic in barrel and 18 months in new barrels. This deep purple-hued beauty offers incredible cassis, spring flowers, crushed stone, graphite, and subtle tobacco notes to go with a full-bodied, ultra-pure, fine, seamless style on the palate. It's so rare to find a wine that can deliver this level of richness and intensity with no sensation of weight, as well as an incredible sense of finesse and elegance. It reminds me of a slightly more concentrated version of the 2016. Hide bottles for a decade if you can and enjoy over the following 40 years or so.

Velvety tannin texture even at this early stage, showing the purity and finesse of Figeac, coupled with an expansion through the mid-palate. A great vintage with damson, smoked plum, bitter cocoa bean, orange peel, lemon zest, black tea and liquorice. Juicy finish with oyster-shell salinity; this clearly has decades ahead of it. 100% new oak. Harvest from September 1 to 26. First year with Premier Grand Cru Classé A on the label, happily coinciding with such an exceptionally approachable vintage. Frederic Faye, director.

A vibrant bouquet, shimmering with charm and confidence, offering a kaleidoscope of sumptuous aromas: deep dark fruits, beguiling flowers (peony, iris), fresh sap, and a mineral touch of schist. The palate lives up to the promise: the flavors, true to the nose, overflow with abundance. The brightness of the fruit notes and cut flowers is deftly restrained on the finish by an aristocratic corset of exquisitely fine tannins, with a cashmere-like texture.

A grandiose, beautifully perfumed wine with a textured richness, this is the first vintage from this producer to show the top Saint-Emilion appellation. The fruit of many years of meticulous work at the estate, the wine has a spicy chocolate aroma and powerful, dense tannins. The wine's black fruits and succulence are deeply impressive and promise great aging. Drink from 2029.