2009 Château Figeac

Description

97   Jane Anson for Decanter
“This is nudging its evolution a little quicker than the 2010. The fruit is beginning to soften, not to tertiary aspects yet, but there are hints of black truffles and wood smoke. For me the 2010 is the clear winner of the two in terms of longevity, but this is still an extremely accomplished wine that should be celebrated. It has excellent freshness for such a warm year, showing the benefit of its Cabernets, and yet there is no austerity on display – rather it is full of beautifully seductive and richly spiced flavours. Wonderful.” (6/2017)

96   James Suckling
“So much forest fruit, fresh mushrooms and sweet tobacco. Complex. Full body and very polished, velvety tannins. A long and flavorful finish. Still tight. A big and rich wine. Needs five to six years more. But impressive to taste already.” (2/2017)

96   Wine Enthusiast
“A ripe year like 2009 is kind to the Cabernet Sauvignon of Château Figeac. The wine is perfumed with new wood and sweet fruits, delicious black currant flavors giving both ripeness and freshness. The wine has weight and impressive density. A star of the vintage.” *Cellar Selection* (2/2012)

96   James Molesworth for Wine Spectator
“Distinctive, with atypical (for St.-Emilion) force and drive to the black currant, roasted cedar and maduro tobacco flavors, which are supported by a dense, loam-tinged structure. Terrific roasted espresso, ganache and fig paste notes wait in reserve. Very muscular, but with the cut for balance. Best from 2017 through 2035.” (3/2012)

95   Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2009 Château Figeac is the normal blend of close to equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a beautiful wine that has classic Figeac style, yet is more reserved and backward than most in the vintage. Forest floor, truffle, blackcurrants, cigar ash and green tobacco notes all emerge from this full-bodied, ripe, yet pure, elegant Saint-Emilion that has good acidity and plenty of length. The tannins are ripe, yet firm, it’s nicely balanced, and it blossoms with time in the glass. Nevertheless, it needs another 4-5 years of cellaring to hit prime time, and it should keep for 2-3 decades.” (2/2018)

94   Neal Martin
“The 2009 seems to have closed down a little since I last tasted it: gravelly and smoky, what you might describe as austere for the vintage. Stylistically it is actually similar to the 2008 Figeac with an appealing savory entry, grainy tannin, a pinch of black pepper and a slightly clipped, but focused finish. This is one of the few Right Bank wines whereby the terroir is more expressive than the growing season, so it will appeal to those that appreciate the style of Figeac, though not necessarily to those that prefer the voluptuousness of the 2009s. Additionally, comparing it directly to the 2010, I suspect that it might not have quite as much longevity as the succeeding vintage. That said, this is still a knockout Saint Emilion that is going to bestow a lot of drinking pleasure over the years.” (8/2016)