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Tasting notes
Ch. Figeac has not put a foot wrong in at least the last five vintages and their form continues in 2022 – producing another outstanding wine. It has everything you could ask for when it comes to complexity. The nose initially is restrained but reveals itself gradually in the glass, with graphite, dried lavender, crushed rose petal, light smoke and pepper spice along with more mineral, fresh clay tones. On the palate, the clarity and purity of the fruit is astounding, perfectly framed by high-quality powdery tannins that dissipate beautifully and evenly, providing depth and freshness. This is rich, intense but focused. It’s stunning. Blend: 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon
Critic scores
Average Score
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Figeac has impressive purity on the nose, a mixture of red and black fruit, black truffle and a light estuarine scent. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, silky smooth with black plum and blueberry on the creamy-textured, seductive finish. This bottle came across as more modern in style compared with previous ones, but it is patently well crafted and it will meliorate with bottle age. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.
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?
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.
About the producer
Sitting on the border with Pomerol, Ch. Figeac is a distinguished Saint-Emilion estate that produces some of the region's most sought-after wines. As of 2022, it is officially classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé A, one of the appellation's top estates along with Ch. Pavie.