Chateau Figeac 2016
SKU
FICM201610 UCAU
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"This Figeac has an outstanding structure and a saline finish that beckons you back for another sip." Neal Martin
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"This aromatic wine is magnificent in its balance and richness." Wine Enthusiast
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"...proof once again that power does not have to mean sacrificing precision and juiciness if it is done right." Jane Anson, Decanter
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1 or more bottles$469.00
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Neal Martin100 points
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Wine Enthusiast99* points
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Decanter98 points
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Wine Spectator98* points
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Antonio Galloni97+* points
Editors notes
The 2016 Figeac is a blend of 36% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon.
"It has a crisp blackberry nose, a little closed at first, opening nicely in the glass and offering raspberry coulis, pencil box and subtle mint aromas—classic Figeac in many ways. The palate is extraordinarily well balanced with a fine lattice of tannin sculpted to perfection. There is a slight edginess to this Figeac that I adore, the Cabernets very expressive, more so than the 2015, with graphite infusing every pore of the black fruit. This Figeac has an outstanding structure and a saline finish that beckons you back for another sip." Neal Martin
Details
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Wine Type
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Vintage
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Variety
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Brand
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Location
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Cellaring
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Closure
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Alcohol Percentage
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Bottle Size
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Oak Type
Tasting Profile
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Light (Light)Full (Full)
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Low Tannin (Low Tannin)Tannic (Tannic)
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Sweet (Sweet)Dry (Dry)
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Low Acidity (Low Acidity)High Acidity (High Acidity)
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Aroma
- Blueberry
- Boysenberry
- Herbal
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Palate
- Blue Fruits
- Cassis
- Graphite
Food Pairings
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Pork -
Red Meat
Critic Scores & reviews
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Neal Martin
100"The 2016 Figeac was bottled at the end of July 2018, since Frédéric Faye wanted to give the wine more time in barrel to develop more harmony. The stunning 24-carat bouquet rivets you to the spot with brilliant delineation and mineral-rich red fruit that articulates its terroir as well as any Right Bank you will find. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannin, perfect acidity, wonderfully integrated new oak and enormous depth toward the fresh, pencil-box- and cedar-infused finish. This is a classic Figeac, up there with the 1947 and 1949, both recently re-tasted and testifying to a wine that genuinely belongs among the elite Saint-Émilions. Faye believes it is the best Figeac he has ever made. He is correct. Drink 2023-2060."
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Wine Enthusiast
99*"Barrel Sample. This aromatic wine is magnificent in its balance and richness. With its high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), it is so typical of this estate. The tannins are velvety while packing a firm punch. Dark and concentrated, it is a great wine for long-term aging. 97-99 points."
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Decanter
98"2016 keeps Figeac on the trajectory set out in recent vintages, and is proof once again that power does not have to mean sacrificing precision and juiciness if it is done right. This is a great wine, with purity and focus from the balanced black fruit delivery. You don't feel anything drop through the palate - each element is held in suspension and it finishes strong with a mouthwatering flourish. 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% new oak. 3.67pH. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050 Tasted by Jane Anson"
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Wine Spectator
98*"Tight and backward, with a wall of cocoa and loam out front, but the core of cassis and blackberry fruit is prodigious, and the mix of charcoal, tobacco and warm paving stone notes making up the finish cuts a seriously wide swath. This needs to be tamed by its élevage though. Score range: 95-98."
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Antonio Galloni
97+*"The 2016 Figeac has been super-impressive on both occasions I have tasted it so far. A big wine, the 2016 exudes depth and power. Even so, the forbidding tannins are almost shockingly buried by the sheer intensity and purity of the fruit. Graphite, savory herbs, smoke, menthol, licorice and smoke are some of the many accents that infuse the huge finish. As good as the 2016 is today, it is clearly for readers who can afford to be patient, as it will likely be many years before the wine is ready to drink. Technical Director Frédéric Faye, consulting winemaker Michel Rolland and the team have done a superb job with the 2016. 94-97+ points."
Other vintages
Love this wine? Here's a list of other vintages we have in stock if you'd like to try them as well.
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- Variety Cabernet Blend
- Vintage 2018
- Brand Chateau Figeac
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type Red
- Alcohol Percentage 14.0% Alcohol
Chateau Figeac 2018-
Lisa Perrotti-B99 points
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James Suckling99 points
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Antonio Galloni99 points
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Jeb Dunnuck99 points
$645.00 -
- Variety Cabernet Blend
- Vintage 2021
- Brand Chateau Figeac
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type Red
- Alcohol Percentage 14.0% Alcohol
Chateau Figeac 2021-
James Suckling95 points
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Jeb Dunnuck97 points
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Neil Martin100 points
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Antonio Galloni95 points
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The Wine Advoca97 points
$475.00 -
- Variety Cabernet Blend
- Vintage 2021
- Brand Chateau Figeac
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type Red
- Alcohol Percentage 14.0% Alcohol
Chateau Figeac 2021 1.5L Magnum-
James Suckling95 points
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Jeb Dunnuck97 points
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Neil Martin100 points
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Antonio Galloni95 points
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The Wine Advoca97 points
$469.00
Current auction
All current auctions for this wine & any different vintages.
Locations
France
Wine is being produced throughout France and has been done for over 2,500 years with certain Châteaux dating their history back to Roman times, around 6th Century BC. Ranking second in the world in per-capita consumption and first in total production quantity. More so than the overall quantity of wine is the quantity of truly great wines coming out of France makes the nation the envy of wine-making nations worldwide.
Two concepts pivotal to the higher end French wines, in particular, are the idea of 'terroir' and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the way the geography, geology and climate find their way into the glass, telling a story of the origin of the wine. The AOC was set up in 1935 and has the primary goal of protecting the authenticity of the wines and the livelihoods of the producers. Appellation rules strictly define which varieties of grapes and winemaking practices are approved for classification in each of France's several hundred geographically defined appellations, which can cover entire regions, individual villages or in some cases, like in Burgundy even specific vineyards.
Classic wine regions in France include Champagne (home of Champagne), Burgundy (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot), Alsace (Aromatic varietals), Loire Valley (Chenin Blanc, Crémant) and the Rhône Valley (Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre)
The Bordeaux classification of 1855 is still in use, as is the Sauternes and Barsac Classification of the same year. Wines from certain regions can be bought En Primeur, which is when the wine is sold prior to it being bottled.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux has a rich history of winemaking, dating back to the Roman times. Today, it is known as one of the most significant wine regions in the world, with a reputation for producing complex, full-bodied red wines. The region is home to a diverse range of terroirs, each with its own unique microclimate, soil composition, and grape varieties.
The left bank of Bordeaux is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in the region's gravelly soils. These wines tend to be bold, tannic, and complex, with notes of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco. On the right bank, Merlot is king, producing wines that are softer and fruitier, with notes of plum, cherry, and chocolate.
Aside from the red blends, Bordeaux is also renowned for its sweet wines, particularly from the Sauternes and Barsac appellations. These wines are made using a unique process that involves botrytis, or "noble rot," which concentrates the sugars in the grapes, resulting in a lusciously sweet and complex wine.
Bordeaux's classification system has evolved over time, with some estates moving up or down the ranks depending on the quality of their wines. Today, the system includes five growths, with Premier Cru being the highest and Deuxièmes Crus being the second-highest. There is also a separate classification for the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac, with Chateau d’Yquem holding the highest rank.
Overall, Bordeaux is a region that continues to captivate wine enthusiasts around the world with its rich history, diverse terroirs, and exceptional wines.
Saint-Emilion
Saint-Émilion, a prestigious and historic appellation located on the right bank of the Gironde river in Bordeaux, France, is a red-wine-only region that has earned a well-deserved spot on the World Heritage List. Although Saint-Émilion is situated inland from the Atlantic Ocean, it still benefits from the moderating influence of the river and the cool, humid climate of the region, which is ideal for cultivating early-ripening grape varieties.
Merlot, the primary grape variety in Saint-Émilion, is renowned for its plump, juicy fruit flavors and velvety tannins, and it is typically blended with Cabernet Franc, which adds structure, tannin, and complexity. Some châteaux also grow small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, which contributes additional depth and richness to the final blend.
Wine styles in Saint-Émilion can range from simple, easy-drinking wines that are perfect for enjoying in their youth to premium Grand Cru Classé wines that are among the most coveted and sought-after in the world. The quality of the wine is influenced by many factors, including location, vine age, and winemaking techniques.
The best wines from Saint-Émilion are characterized by their intense, concentrated aromas and flavors of red and black plums, often accompanied by notes of vanilla and clove from aging in new oak barrels. These wines are typically full-bodied, with high alcohol content and robust tannins, which provide structure and aging potential. Over time, bottle aging will soften the tannins, allowing the wine's rich fruit flavors to fully express themselves.
It's worth noting that Saint-Émilion has its own classification system for Premier Grand Cru Classé and Grand Cru Classé wines, which is updated every decade to reflect the changing quality of the region's wines. This system serves as a benchmark for quality and helps consumers to identify the best wines from this renowned appellation.
About the brand Chateau Figeac
This is one of the few saint-émilion estates to have been continuously occupied for the past 2,000 years. By the 18th century, figeac had already been owned by the same family for around five centuries, and it has been in the possession of the current owners, the manancourts, for over 120 years.
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