Figeac - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2021

Vinous

94

byNeal Martinthe4/2/2024

The 2021 Figeac was bottled the previous mid-July after being stored in vat for two months to gain more on the mid-palate. It has a sensual bouquet with pure wild strawberry and raspberry fruit, pencil box and tobacco scents that emanate from the Cabernet

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe2/28/2024

The 2021 Figeac is a classy, supremely polished Saint-Émilion. Floral and savory notes meld into a core of dark cherry, leather, tobacco, spice, mocha and lavender. I imagine the 2021 will drink well with minimal cellaring. It's an undeniably attractive wine with no hard edges, but also less textural depth than the best years. Managing Director Frédéric Faye and his team reduced élevage by two months because of the lighter structure of the wine, a decision that paid off nicely.

Wine Advocate

96

byWilliam Kelleythe2/22/2024

A wine that transcends the vintage's challenges, the 2021 Figeac is performing brilliantly in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries and cherries mingled with striking top notes of violet, rose petal, iris and mint. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and suave, it's pure and vibrant, its enveloping core of fruit framed by ultra-refined tannins, concluding with a long, floral finish. Readers in the habit of drinking top grand cru Burgundy are liable to find themselves seduced by this immensely elegant, perfumed Saint-Émilion, a wine I'll definitely be adding to my own cellar. It's the result of gamble that paid off, as Figeac's team chose to wait to pick their Cabernet Sauvignon despite the menace of forecast rain—a menace that, in fact, scarcely transpired. The 2021 saw a somewhat shorter-than-usual élevage of 16 months in barrel without fining. 96+

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

97

byJane Ansonthe1/30/2024

These guys have always known how to keep a steady hand on the extraction, and that skill comes in to play in 2021. This is such a gorgeous Cabernet Franc-led expression of the vintage, with its iris and violet notes, crushed brambled fruits and high smoke aromatic. Subtle but savoury, mouthwatering, gentle complexity, they have leaned in and leaned back with the challenges of the vintage. Delicious quality, for earlier drinking with a ton of pleasure. One of my wines of the vintage En Prmeur, and remains so. The last vintage before promotion to Premier Grand Cru Classé A. No fining, and extremely light filtration. 100% new oak. Romain Jean-Pierre technical director. 38hl/h yield, harvest September 21 to October 19. First vintage with the new cellar.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe6/8/2022

A red with lots of dark-fruit, graphite and tar aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied and very integrated with firm, polished tannins and a long finish. Racy and compact. Silky texture.

Jeb DUNNUCK

95-97

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/2/2022

Unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage on the Right Bank, the 2021 Château Figeac checks in as 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, and 29% Merlot, brought up all in new barrels. It's a gorgeous, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and textured 2019 with remarkable purity in its darker cassis and fresh plum fruits as well as notes of tobacco, truffly earth, cedar pencil, and spice. While it's easy to compare this to wines from the Médoc given its high Cabernet content, it has beautiful Right Bank character and is a classic, balanced, incredibly impressive Figeac that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and cruise for over two decades. It reminds me slightly of the 2014.

Bettane & Desseauve

97

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/24/2022

Le millésime du nouveau cuvier a permis de valoriser au mieux le travail effectué à la vigne. On a su attendre la maturité des 40 % de cabernet-sauvignon et des 31 % de cabernet franc, en jouant avec le vent du nord. Expression tout en rebonds sur des notes florales et salines persistantes. Le toucher de tannin construit par les 29 % de merlot donne une impression de sensualité dès l’entrée de bouche. Un équilibre parfait de bout en bout pour ce vin lumineux, promis à un avenir radieux.

The Vintage Journal

97-98

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2022

Deep colour. Beautiful wax polish, black plum, black cherry herb dried rose aromas. Sweet fruited blackberry pastille, black plum fruits, wax polish/ inky complexity, superb mid-palate richness and fine plentiful chalky textures. Finishes cedar firm with butterscotch espresso notes. Wonderful wine highlighting the fidelity of vineyard site and the strength of Figeac's encepagement (varietal plantings) in such a year. This will develop into something special. 29% merlot, 31% cabernet franc, 40% cabernet sauvignon.

Alexandre Ma

96-97

byAlexandre Mathe5/16/2022

Figeac 2021 presents some surprisingly pleasant floral and fruity aromas. The high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc delivers exceptional performance in this vintage. The body is clear, the fruity notes pure, and the acidity smooth, reflecting a dazzling light throughout its splendid body shape. The elegant peony lingers closely around the tingling peppercorns and cumin, emitting a sense of multi-layered elegance. The slight saltiness on the finish subtly lengthened the aftertaste, and also adds depth to the palate, creating a sense of grandeur and space to imagine. Figeac 2021?????????????,??????????????????????????????????????????,??????????????????????????????????,???????????????????????????????????,????????????

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-97

byJeff Levethe5/16/2022

Violets, roses, cigar wrapper, espresso, cherries, plums, blackberries and currants create the attention-seeking perfume. Lively and fresh, the wine is perfectly balanced between its elegant nature, vibrant red fruits, silky textures, length and purity. The fruit has a sweetness along with salinity that is impossible to miss. The wine is a slow build on your palate. So you do not notice it at first. But with an intake of air, the wine begins slowly expanding in the finish. This is a perfect example of a modern classic wine blending 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc and 29% Merlot. 13% ABV, 3.65% pH. The harvest took place September 21 - October 19, making 2021 not only one of the longest harvests in the history of the estate, but also one of the latest vintages they have ever recorded. Both choices were the key to the vintages success here. Of equal importance, 2021 marks the debut vintage for the estate's new, state-of-the-art cellars. Drink from 2026-2055. 95-97

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

97

byJane Ansonthe5/13/2022

Vinous

95-97

byNeal Martinthe5/12/2022

The 2021 Figeac was picked from September 21 until October 19 and matured, as usual, in 100% new oak. It has a very pure, elegant bouquet, the Cabernet Sauvignon imparting subtle pencil lead notes, blackberry and briar, almost understated at first but gaining vigor with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and just the right amount of sapidity. There is unerring symmetry about this Figeac, which is extremely focused yet unconcerned about showing off. There is lovely piquancy on the finish. Unequivocally one the finest Right Bank wines in 2021. Frédéric Faye continues to guide Figeac to the pinnacle of the appellation. (13.0% alcohol)

Vinous

93-95

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2022

The 2021 Figeac is a super-classy, elegant Saint-Émilion. Silky tannins and lifted, savory aromatics add to a total impression of finesse. There is more Cabernet Sauvignon than typically in this year's blend, which naturally brings added aromatic presence. The 2021 is not as explosive as recent vintages have been, but its class is evident. This is a strong showing from Figeac and the team led by Estate Manager Frédéric Faye. Tasted two times.

vvwine

96-98

byAdrian Van Velsenthe5/10/2022

Erst am 4. Oktober wurde hier der Cabernet gelesen, ohne Chaptalisierung vinifiziert und zu 100% im Neuholz ausgebaut. Tiefdunkle Farbe. Die Nase ist sehr feinduftig, klar und rein, dunkle Früchte dominieren, Cassis und Pflaumen, darüber eine fast schon pfeffrige Würze sowie Süssholzaromen, das Holz ist perfekt verpackt. Im Gaumen mit für den Jahrgang relativ hoher Konzentration, die Frucht ist knackig, auf den Punkt gereift, die Säure stimmig, der Wein baut viel Druck auf, bleibt dabei hochelegant. Im Abgang mit grosser Länge und einem Finale, das auf schwarze Johannisbeeren endet. Ein Wein mit grossen Reserven, 2025-2050+ (Verkostet im April 2022. Château Figeac)

Anthocyanes

97-99

byYohan Castaingthe5/6/2022

Assemblages réalisés. Nez de fruits frais, de mure, de cassis avec un boisé parfaitement fondu et un éclat aromatique magnifique sur le menthol. Tension, finesse, précision et une élégance folle pour des tanins ciselés et parfaitement murs. Allonge graphite et réglisse ainsi qu'une finale aérienne et très persistante. Voici un Figeac juteux des plus élégants, d'une grande précision avec une magnifique expression du cabernet. Quelle race ! L'un des Figeac les plus proches de son terroir avec cette sensation aérienne et profonde des graves et la persistance des cabernets. Somptueux, pourrait être le vin de l'année. 97-99+

Wine Advocate

94-97

byWilliam Kelleythe4/29/2022

One of the highlights of the vintage on the Right Bank, the 2021 Figeac is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc and 29% Merlot, and the fruit of a harvest that lasted a full month, from September 21 to October 19, with each parcel picked at optimal maturity. Offering up aromas of blackberries, cassis, rose petals, violets, cigar wrapper and sweet soil tones, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, its velvety attack segueing into a deep, layered core of beautifully vibrant fruit, concluding with a long, saline finish. The first vintage vinified in Figeac's new winery, it's a resounding success for administrator Frédéric Faye and his team.

Decanter.com

97

byGeorgina Hindlethe4/1/2022

One of my absolute favourite wines in 2021 with Figeac's star power clearly on show. Amazing aromatic complexity on the nose; dark chocolate with perfume from the Cabernet Franc - pink flowers, red cherry touches vanilla and cinnamon - such a seductive smell. Pure and focused - so smooth and sleek with a clear tang to the palate. Quite taut, so defined and pure. The minerality comes through the sweet strawberry and raspberry fruit giving that chalky, salty flavour and texture on the palate. Everything is precise and in the right place. You can tell this is ripe, the concentration is there in the fruit, alongside such bright freshness but also these fun and playful red fruit flavours with lively acidity. Classic Bordeaux style with vibrancy, clarity and harmony - you feel the St-Emilion terroir and the understated glamour. This is an epic wine, a brilliant Figeac and contender for wine of the Right Bank. 100% new oak. 3.65pH.