Château Figeac - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012

Vinous

93 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 31/12/2015

The 2012 Figeac is super-expressive. Dense and fleshy in the glass - yet with gorgeous aromatic lift - the 2012 is impeccable in its overall balance. Dark red plum, cherry pit, cloves, leather, sage and licorice are all laced into the inviting finish. Within the context of the year, the Figeac has a fair amount of structure, so it is best cellared for at least a few years. There is a lot to like here. Michel Rolland blended the 2012 and took over the consulting at Figeac in full beginning with the 2013 harvest.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2015

This is a very strong effort from this great terroir. They finally seem to be making stricter selections and picking slightly riper fruit, thereby avoiding the vegetal underripe tones of the past as well as dilution from a lack of any selection. The 2012 Figeac (performing much better from bottle) has a dense ruby/purple color and a beautiful nose of graphite, blackcurrants, and spice box, followed by a medium-bodied, elegant yet still concentrated and authoritative style of wine. This is a beauty, and the great terroir that has existed for centuries comes through beautifully. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 20 years. (91+)

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

par James Suckling le 15/02/2015

Beautiful aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries with cacao and chocolate notes. Full body, lovely acidity, soft and juicy tannins and a long, fruity finish. Figeac is back in style. Needs two or three years to soften. Best after 2018.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

par James Molesworth le 10/02/2015

A beguiling tobacco leaf note weaves up and away from the core of steeped plum and mulled currant fruit, while a sleek iron accent forms the spine and a loamy element creates the backdrop. Shows some pleasant latent grip while the currant detail echoes. Best from 2018 through 2027. 8,330 cases made. –JM

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

le 11/12/2014

Lift and some freshness on the nose here. A little stringy but certainly not overblown. Lots of energy and refreshment. Unusual, and long may it remain so.

Complete and no hint of specious sweetness.Drink 2020-2035. (16,5+ points)

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

le 23/10/2014

Lift and some freshness on the nose here. A little stringy but certainly not overblown. Lots of energy and refreshment. Unusual, and long may it remain so. Complete and no hint of specious sweetness. 16,5+ points 2020-2035

timatkin.com

94 / 100

par Tim Atkin MW le 30/06/2013

Recently appointed consultant, Michel Rolland, has vowed to help elevate Figeac to the same level as Saint Emilion’s Premiers Grands Crus Classés (A). If so, he has less work to do than he might imagine, as this is a very impressive Saint Emilion, boasting deep colour, plush fruit, some Cabernet Sauvignon freshness and backbone, fine tannins and appealing minerality and palate length. Drink: 2020-30

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89-92 / 100

par Ian D'Agata le 30/06/2013

(40% each merlot and cabernet sauvignon, with 20% cabernet franc):  Medium ruby-red.  Spicy aromas of blueberry, violet, licorice and black pepper.  In the mouth, concentrated but tightly wound flavors of fresh blueberry and blackcurrant come across as slightly subdued.  This elegantly styled wine is impressively juicy and bright for the year, finishing with a lingering savory quality.

Le Point

17 / 20

par Jacques Dupont le 16/05/2013

Fruits noirs, note cassis et mûre, bouche ample, fraîche, dense, bien fruitée, long, plein, intense, serrée en finale, très pur. O= 2017 G= 15 ans

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

par Neal Martin le 06/05/2013

Michel Rolland made the blend of the 2012: 40% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon (the 2010 was one-third of each grape variety.) It has a dark purple colour. The nose is bashful at first, well defined with expressive Cabernet Sauvignon imparting subtle cedar and mint aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with an edge entry defined by slightly chalky tannins. There is a touch for Schezhuan pepper at the tip of the tongue and to be honest, it is missing a little weight on the mid-palate due to the growing season. It has a little more harmony on the finish than previous year, maintaining the fresh Figeac style, but with more composure. Bodes well for the future. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

par James Molesworth le 30/04/2013

A very direct, compact and muscular style, with a dark core of currant, steeped blueberry and plum notes, liberally coated with roasted vanilla and melted licorice accents. Rather rounded for the vintage and a step behind the ‘11, relying more on a caressing edge than vigorous drive. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

17.5 / 20

par Matthew Jukes le 30/04/2013

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16 / 20

par Jean-Marc Quarin le 29/04/2013

Couleur sombre de bonne intensité. Nez fruité et vif. Soyeux à l'attaque, fruité au développement, élancé, parfumé, ce vin évolue suave et savoureux sur un corps normal, une bonne longueur et des tanins fins. Ce cru redresse la tête dans un millésime difficile à élaborer. Tant mieux !

My Bettane + Desseauve

17-17,5 / 20

le 26/04/2013

Aucun maquillage de bois, nez plutôt frais, corps moyen, excellente franchise aromatique, tannin sans aspérité, montre les limites du millésime mais plutôt intelligemment élaboré et doté d’un tannin racé.

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

par Julia Harding MW le 26/04/2013

Drink 2016-2028
Deep dark cherry colour. Bright, cedary and blackcurrant aroma. Slightly herbaceous but not overly so. Very gentle tannins, velvety already. Super-suave and approachable, just fresh enough. (I tasted this blind but extended the drinking dates when I saw at the end of the tasting that it was Figeac!) (JH)

Wine Advocate

86-88 / 100

par Robert Parker le 26/04/2013

The dark ruby/garnet/plum-colored 2012 Figeac is somewhat angular (no doubt because the Cabernet Sauvignon was not as ripe as it could have been), but it possesses an attractive, cedary, underbrush, Christmas fruitcake, black cherry and black currant-scented nose. Elegant and medium-weight with good purity as well as a slightly narrow finish, it is a very good to excellent Figeac that should drink well for 12-15 years.

Several months ago the big news in Bordeaux was that Madame Manoncourt, the incredibly charming, vibrant, 80-year-old owner of Figeac, decided a make-over was necessary for this estate to regain its proper place in the market as well as elevate its quality, which has been mixed since their last great vintages of 1964 and 1970. Michel Rolland was brought in as the consultant, although he only did the assemblage (blending) for the 2012. He will have full control over the 2013.
Drink: 2013 - 2028

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 26/04/2013

From a blend of blend of 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a different style for Figeac. Much of the credit goes to the bringing in Michel Rolland and Valmy Nicolas from Chateau La Conseillante in Pomerol. This is the first vintage where Michel Rolland was involved in the blending. Notes of truffle, earth, coffee bean, licorice and spicy berry notes opened to a silky, round, supple textured, elegant wine, filled with ripe, sweet, plums and black raspberries. 92-94 Pts

Decanter.com

17 / 20

le 22/04/2013

Smoky blackcurrant nose and palate. Already quite expressive. Mid-palate more supple than usual. Tannins firm and grainy on the finish. 17/20pts ( 90/100pts)
Drink: 2020 - 2032
Taster: James Lawther MW

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

par James Suckling le 04/04/2013

A wine with a mineral, blueberry and light clay character. Full body, with round and velvety tannins and a long finish. Shows plenty of mineral, iron and spice character. Can’t make up my mind if I like 2011 and 2012. I tasted both this time.