Chateau Figeac - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009

Decanter.com

the3/23/2015

Figeac to a T-long fresh and Médocain in style. Fragrant, cassis-dark fruit aroma and flavour. Pure and exact, to false notes. 2018-2040

Terres de Vins

17-17,5 / 20

the3/23/2015

Distingué, élégant, svelte mais avec beaucoup de dynamisme et une vraie longueur. Indiscutablement racé.

GaultMillau

18,5 / 100

the3/23/2015

Un vin racé avec une certaine austérité, mais aussi de la tendresse. L'élégance est personnifiée par la droiture des très grandes réussites, mais complexifiée par le fruit, le crémeux et la fraîcheur.

Weinzeitung

19 / 20

the3/23/2015

2017-2040

Vinum

18,5 / 20

the3/23/2015

Ungemein verführerische Nase mit Tee- und Kräuternoten und einem hübschen Johannisbeer-Toach, demonstriert überlegen, dass Extrakt nicht alles ist, dicht und kernig, doch ohne zu übertreiben, perfekt ausgearbeitetes, extrem präzises Tannin mit Temperament und Schiliff, mineralische Frische trotz der Fülle, gigantisch, für die lange Reife. 2020 bis 2030+.

Vinum

19 / 20

the3/3/2015

Les tanins sont fondus, les arômmes complexes sur des notes de cèdre et de petits fruits mûrs, l'ensemble est parfaitement équilibré. D'une grande précision et fidélité stylistique, c'est l'un des très grands Figeac, d'ors et déjà doté d'un incroyable équilibre, ce qui n'empêche pas qu'il puisse encore vieillir quelques dizaines d'années ! Il a progressé par rapport à la dégustation en primeur. 2020 à 2050.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe1/1/2013

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. This is probably one of those most controversial scores. After a topsy-turvy showing in barrel followed by an enervated display just after bottling, under single blind conditions this bottle verifies one of my showings in barrel. There is some lovely Cabernet Franc on the nose here: bay leaf and hints of burnt toast infusing the ripe black fruits. This has real character and charm. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins. This is nicely balanced: fresh and very composed on the finish with savoury hints beginning to emerge. Classy. Could this be a wine that you have to treat on a bottle-by-bottle basis? Tasted January 2013.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

93 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe7/31/2012

(a very moderate 13.5% alcohol for the vintage): Red-ruby. Aromas of redcurrant and plum are complicated by gravel, tobacco, wild herbs and cedar. Lush, suave and seamless, with noteworthy energy and a restrained sweetness to the fine-grained flavors of red fruits, tobacco and herbs. Insinuating tobacco and cedar notes perfume the mouth as the wine opens in the glass. Very firm wine, finishing with noble, edge-free tannins, lingering spiciness and sneaky length. Quite ripe for Figeac but without any excesses.

La Revue du Vin de France

19,5 / 20

the6/6/2012

Droit et aromatique. Apogée : 2017-2030.

Decanter.com

18,6 / 100

the5/5/2012

Ripe, classy nose of pencil lead, spice, blackberry, herb and spice. Palate is immature - one could even say innocent - but with a fabulous expression of pure fruit. It has perfect balance ; very complete and  delicious. A joy at this stage. Drink : 2015-2030.

Jamessuckling.com

98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2012

The aromas in this are amazing, with blueberries, blackberries and fresh mushrooms. Black olives. So aromatic. Full-bodied, with super velvety tannins and lovely depth of ripe fruit. Balanced. Wild flavors on the finish of, meat, berries and forest fruits. Hints of decadence. 33% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon. Best Figeac ever. Try after 2020.

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

byJames Molesworththe1/18/2012

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. –JM

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe10/10/2011

Fabulous fruit - a little exotic, pure and dark. Cassis and cedary freshness too. So inviting. The tenderest of tannins, just the right amount of flesh and fine, elegant tannins. This was my coup de coeur of the tastings. Tasted 18th October 2011 Julia Harding MW

Le Figaro

94-96 / 100

byBernard Burtschythe6/30/2010

Robe sombre. Nez épices. En bouche, attaque ample, milieu de bouche suave, assez élégant, belle longueur, de la fraîcheur, 33 % merlot, 33 % cabernet-sauvignon, 34 % cabernet-franc.

timatkin.com

97 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2010

13.5% alcohol. Equal parts M, CF and CS The high percentage of Cabernet is the key to the success of Figeac in 2009. Unlike some badly over-blown wines in St Emilion, this is poised and beautifully balanced, with the perfume of the Cabernet Franc complementing the structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon and the plush fruit of the Merlot. The wine has a delightful rigour about it. One to cellar for 15+ years.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88-91 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2010

Deep ruby-red with purple tinges. Very spicy, complex nose hints at blackcurrant, rose, Christmas cake and raisin, with black pepper and minty fresh herbs providing lift. Then juicy and moderately dense in the mouth, with good energy but modest flesh to the red fruit, mineral and bitter chocolate flavors. Finishes very fresh and light on its feet, with firm, slightly dry tannins and a note of licorice.

La Revue du Vin de France

17,5-18,5 / 20

the5/31/2010

L'échantillon dégusté est issu de deux tonneliers différents et de barriques neuves. Très belle récolte avec 40hl/ha et une très faible proportion de second vin. Assemblage classique de Figeac, en trois tiers : cabernet franc, cabernet-sauvignon et merlot. Vin droit et parfumé sur des fines notes d'épices et une élégance florale offrant fraîcheur et distinction. Les cabernets tardifs forment la race de 2009 dans ce premier cru classé.

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/17/2010

Tiefes Purpur. Warmes, malziges Bouquet, Edelhölzer, Zedern, Pflaumen, völlig harmonisch mit einer reifen Cabernet-Note unterlegt. Am Gaumen ein Weintraum, Malz, Hustenbonbons, seidige Tannine, zarte, cremige Fülle, sehr sublim bis zum langen, gebündelten Finale. Wer sich darüber aufregt, dass alle Premiers so teuer sind, der kauft sich am besten hiervon ein paar Flaschen «en primeur» – und erhält bei der Auslieferung in zwei Jahren einen der allerbesten Figeacs. 2019-2045

Le Point

18,5-19 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/6/2010

La dégustation au chai, à la barrique, confirme celle du matin à l'aveugle. Résine, cacao, cerise, le fruité du cabernet franc domine, avec un milieu de bouche d'un grande finesse, d'une bonne épaisseur, sans tanins accrocheurs, très soyeux, le cabernet-sauvignon ne marque pas le vin par ses habituels arômes de cassis mais par sa trame tannique, l'assemblage est très harmonieux. On retient en premier la fraîcheur et l'éclat du fruit. O=2018 G=25 ans

TAST

17-17,5 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2010

Distingué, élégant, svelte mais avec beaucoup de dynamisme et une vraie longueur. Indiscutablement racé.

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/30/2010

This is relatively light, with freshness over the bright spicy acidity. The wine dances almost, with its wood element well integrated. A delicious final freshness, but certainly not weighty.

Falstaff

94-96 / 100

byPeter Moserthe4/30/2010

Zart kräuterwürzig unterlegtes dunkles Beerenkonfit, zart nach Dörrobst, rauchige Mineralik. Saftige Kirschenfrucht, gut integrierte, tragende Tannine, extraktsüßer Kern, reife Zwetschkenfrucht im Abgang, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial.

Periodic Review of Wine

92-94 / 100

byAlan Duranthe4/28/2010

This awesome Figeac lingers with nuance and subtlety. The impressive, ruby-purple colored 2009 is even better than its predecessor, the 2008, due to a greater degree of concentration. Pain grillé, scorched earth, cassis, and plum liqueur make up the deep perfume which is followed by a fabulous medium to full-body, a finessed mouth-feel, wonderful purity, and stunning definition of plums and cherries. Followers of this wine will be stimulated by its light-footed delivery of flavor. Sensational! Maturity period 2014-2028+

Anthony Rose

94-96 / 100

byAnthony Rosethe4/26/2010

Dense colour, wonderfully fresh and perfumed without too much obvious oak and evident leafy cabernet quality; lovely sweet, pure fruit quality, fresh, juicy and supple, with well-handled touch of oak spice, good rounded succulently textured black cherry fruits and fresh damsony acidity; finishing very supple and finely balanced. A lovely classic and yet very individual style with the clear stamp of the terroir with its minerally Right bank expression of cabernet.

Wine Spectator

97-100 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/9/2010

Really fabulous on the nose, with sweet milk chocolate, flowers, currant and plum. Full-bodied, with incredible length. The tannins are so silky, but they are warm and cuddly. You just want to hug it. Powerful but so attractive. The blend is one third each of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/8/2010

Paler than most. Luscious, opulent nose – very come-hither. Cool and fresh. Complete. Still a bit simple but there are no excesses here. Just slightly timid on the palate. Real juice though – not exaggerated. Sweet and juicy and friendly even if not the most dramatic. Dry end. Will get there. As discreet and distinctive as usual. Drink 2017-2032. (17+)