Château Figeac - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2005

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2015

This St.-Emilion offers attractive Christmas fruitcake notes, cedar wood, blackcurrants and spice in a medium-bodied, silky smooth, round and juicy style. It is up-front, tasty and well-made. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe2/9/2015

Blackish crimson. Mild, refreshing, non-exaggerated nose. Really appetising and beautifully balanced. Very fine. Sinewy. A right-bank exception. Lovely minty freshness.

13.5% Drink 2020-2045

La Revue du Vin de France

18,5 / 20

the10/20/2014

Nuances végétales nobles associées à une expression de fruit velouté, en douceur. Texture racée, franche, haut niveau de fraîcheur "cabernisante". Un très grand vin complet et charnu qui arbore une remarquable persistance.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe12/1/2012

The 2005 Figeac has a broody, earthy bouquet dominated by earthy black fruit, strawberry jam and black truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly lactic entry: mocha-tinged red fruit, cooked meat and a tannic, rather masculine but focused finish. It remains very closed and rather pinched vis-a-vis its peers. Tasted December 2012

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/29/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This is lacking some clarity on the nose with sloes and mulberry aromas. The palate is medium-bodied, quite fleshy structured with tangible Cabernet. Dark plum, soy, a touch of bitter chocolate towards the dense, opulent finish that would benefit from more backbone. A good Figeac, one that I hope recaptures its promise in barrel but it is an ugly duckling compared to other Saint Emilions at the moment. But we know what ugly duckling become, don’t we? Drink 2015-2030+ Tasted January 2009. 90+

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Good full medium ruby. The nose offers blackcurrant, licorice, graphite, violet, minerals and exotic spices. Broad, suave and fine-grained on the palate, with fleshy but sharply focused flavors of currant, minerals and tobacco. Finishes classically dry and very long. This is St. Emilion with Pauillac and Graves qualities-and a superb vintage for this chateau, whose wine is easy to underrate in the early going.

Decanter Magazine

15,88 / 20

the6/3/2008

Warm and slightly burnt fruit. Very voluptuous yet fresh. Surprisingly forward in terms of tannin ripeness. Medium length. Drink 2010-18

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

The finest Figeac since the 1990 and 1982, the restrained, but complex 2005 exhibits notes of black olives, new saddle leather, tobacco leaf, and sweet cherry and black currant fruit. The wine is medium-bodied with racy tannins as well as a streamlined style built on finesse and delicacy rather than on power and concentration. Consume it over the next 15-20 years.

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2008

This is subtle and complex, showing blackberry, fresh tobacco and light vanilla, with a hint of Indian spices. Full-bodied, with super well-integrated tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. Refined and classy. The best modern wine from this producer. Best after 2015. 10,000 cases made. –JS

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe11/21/2007

Dark purplish crimson. Looks younger than many. Very solid and intriguing on the nose. Much less developed than most. Full and bloody on the palate entry - very dry - quite a different build, Angelys and Figeac are chalk and cheese.... Extremely dry rather than sweet. Firm tannins. Needs lots and lots of time. 17++?

Wine Advocate

91-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/27/2006

The best Figeac since the 2000 and 1990, this dense plum/ruby/purple-tinged 2005 offers up sweet aromas of creosote, incense, fruitcake, black cherries, and cassis. With soft but noticeable tannin this impeccably elegant, medium-bodied, authoritatively-flavored, pure, long wine will be drinkable between 2009-2020.

Wine Spectator

92-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/30/2006

This shows wonderful chocolate, berry and floral aromas. Full-bodied, with velvety yet firm tannins. It caresses and lasts for minutes on the palate. This is a great Figeac. —J.S.