Château Figeac - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2014

Jamessuckling.com

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017

The aromas of blackcurrants and fresh forest floor are evocative. Oyster shells and stones. Turns to blackcurrants. Medium to full body and firm and silky tannins that are polished and coat your mouth. The palate is ever dense and concentrated. Needs four to five years to open but already a beautiful red.

Vinous

96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017

The 2014 Figeac is shaping up to be a real jewel of a wine. Powerful and structured, with plenty of tannic spine, the 2014 won't start hitting its stride for at least a few years. Even today, though, it is impressive for its energy and overall intensity. Plum, smoke, spice, graphite and leather build into the huge, expressive finish. Figeac is one of the stars of the vintage. There is real density and gravitas here, not to mention considerable personality.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe1/11/2017

Le Point

16 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Fruits noirs, cassis, bouche ample, belle structure tannique, tendu, frais, large, épicé, serré en finale. 

Vinous

92-95 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

A big, ample wine, the 2014 Figeac is bold and intense to the core. Black cherry, plum, smoke, new oak and licorice flesh out in a beautifully layered, resonant wine endowed with superb richness and power. The style is both modern and classic, with bold fruit and plenty of supporting structure. Mint, lavender, violets and cloves wrap around the powerful, structured finish. My sense is that the 2014 is going to require considerable cellaring. Today it is inward, tightly wound and massively tannic, with a level of explosive energy that should allow it to develop beautifully in the cellar. The blend is 40% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Cabernet Franc.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-94 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

Deep in color, the first thing you notice is the gravel scents that move to blackberry, tobacco and cigar box aromas. There is richness and concentration, refined but present tannin, mineral drive and a dark berry finish. From a blend of 40% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13% alcohol and will be aged in 100% new, French oak for 18 months. The yields were 33 hectoliters per hectare. 93-94 Pts

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Château Figeac 2014 is a blend of 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot picked from 29 September and 12 October. It is matured in 100% new oak from six different coopers, the alcohol level 13% with a pH 3.7. I tasted the wine twice at the property and once more at a négoçiant. The first time, it did not quite possess the precision on the finish that I was looking for, whilst the oak felt too prominent and blurred away that distinctive Figeac character. The 2nd and 3rd samples tasted one week later showed much better. Superb delineation on the nose, the oak here nicely integrated and allowing the Figeac character to be expressed, lifted red cherries and fresh strawberry dallying with cold stone and undergrowth scents, a touch of graphite courtesy of the Cabernets. The palate is medium-bodied with typical Figeac traits of cedar and undergrowth coming through with aeration, joined by blackberry and boysenberry. The finish here displayed more precision. Yes, just a little reserved and austere but the Cabernet is on song and imparting a structured finish. There are scurrilous rumours that the Figeac style is being forsaken. On the contrary, under winemaker Frédéric Faye and the Manoncourt family, it is retained and enhanced.

Asian Palate

93-94 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

Classic Figeac with tomato leaf, earth and blackberry fruits. This vintage is plush and generous on the mid-palate with velvety firm tannins. The blend is 40% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc and 32% Cabernet Sauvignon. 100% new barrels are used for aging but one can hardly taste them.

Decanter.com

17,75 / 20

byJames Lawther MWthe4/17/2015

40% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc. Stylistically still finding its way. Dark fruit nuance. Mid-palate fuller and rounder than in the past but with a firm tannic line behind. 100% new oak fully absorbed. Only 13% alcohol. Needs time. Drink: 2022-2035 (92)

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

the4/13/2015

Two thirds of the crop. 40% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% new barrels. 
Deep crimson. Quite opulent nose. Much more intense and opulent on the palate. Round and gentle tannins. Much more obviously charming at this stage than the old Figeac. Tannins almost imperceptible. Quite savoury on the finish. Lively. Certainly much more Figeac than ‘Rolland stereotype’. 

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

A beautiful Figeac with stones, oyster shells, chalk and fruits. Full-bodied and compacted with ultra-fine tannins. This is compressed and compacted with a wonderful style. The 32% cabernet sauvignon should give a unique structure here. More structured than the 2012.

timatkin.com

95 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

40 % Merlot, 32 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 28 % Cabernet Franc. 100 % neues Holz.33 hl/ha. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Das Bouquet zeigt Dichte und beginnt mit kirschigen Nuancen, dann wechselt das Fruchtspiel auf Preisel- und Maulbeeren, dahinter findet man Lakritze und dunkle Edelhölzer. Im Gaumen viel süssliches Malz, die Textur ist samtig, es ist aber auch eine nicht zu unterschätzende Adstringenz vorhanden, gebündeltes, langes Finale mit Rasse und viel Aromendruck. Er hat Grösse und Klasse. Dieser Figeac 2014 dokumentiert aber auch eine leichte Kursänderung. Und die ist glücklicherweise im Evolutionsbereich. 18/20 2022 – 2039

Wine Enthusiast

95 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

94–96. Barrel Sample. The Cabernet Sauvignon in this wine always gives it a distinctive, smoky profile. It also offers juicy acidity and black currant flavors that lie over a fine, dusty layer of tannins. The wine is so elegant and poised, with both structure and freshness.

Wine Spectator

93-96 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/30/2015

Sleek and tight, with layers of well-focused boysenberry, cherry and cassis fruit, backed by a long, iron-edged finish.
There's a whiff of tobacco in the background, too. Seriously grounded in terroir, this may take some time to unwind
fully