Figeac Castle - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2000

Wine Advocate

85 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2010

I rated this wine 93 in the post-bottling report for the vintage, but in two separate recent tastings, I scored the wine 86 one time and 84 the second time. A disappointment, for sure, and how I overrated it so dramatically begs many questions, but I certainly blew it on this one. Medium ruby, already displaying some rust and orange at the edge, the wines exhibits crushed and roasted vegetables, licorice, and black cherries in a herbaceous, thin, washed-out style. Of course, there are those who would defend this wine as a quintessentially elegant, old-style, classic wine, but dilution is dilution, vegetal is vegetal, and the wine frankly lacks concentration and is a major disappointment. I will keep my fingers crossed that there may be a few 93-point bottles out there, but neither of these were, and that’s calling it the way I see it. If you own it (and sadly, I do), try one and see what you think....

La Revue du Vin de France

18 / 20

the12/1/2009

Le nez est marqué par une grande droiture et une touche végétale. C'est un vin classique, tout en droiture et en allonge.

Wine Spectator

89 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe7/31/2003

Interesting, decadent character. Some might call it old-fashioned. Intense aromas of dried herbs and chocolate. Cooked plum. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a medium finish. Slightly herbal character. Not quite as good as from barrel. Best after 2010.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2003

Figeac has become a more consistent wine over the last few years. A profound effort, the surprisingly full-bodied 2000 Figeac has an opaque purple color accompanied by a terrific bouquet of camphor, graphite, black currants, licorice, and smoked herbs. With well-balanced, powerful tannin, concentration, and pinpoint precision, finesse, and purity, this expressive as well as textured effort will drink well between 2004-2018. When Figeac hits on all cylinders, one can understand why some tasters believe it is as complex as Cheval Blanc. This is undeniably the estate's finest effort since 1996.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/2002

A profound effort, the 2000 Figeac's opaque purple color is accompanied by a terrific bouquet of camphor, graphite, black currants, licorice, and smoked herbs. With well-balanced, powerful tannin, concentration, and pinpoint precision, finesse, and purity, this expressive effort will drink well between 2004-2018.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2001

While always a wine of finesse, it can sometimes underwhelm tasters because of a sense of dilution. That is not evident in the gorgeous 2000, which boasts tobacco-tinged black currant fruit intertwined with Asian spices, new oak, and earth, fabulous purity, medium to full body, gorgeous freshness, and a long, concentrated, classy style. A wine of grace, purity, harmony, and complexity, it is a sensational Figeac. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2020.