Figeac - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009

Decanter.com

95

par Stephen Brook le 16/05/2023

The colour remains deep and shows no sign of evolution. The nose, too, remains youthful, but it's broad and fleshy, with generous blackberry fruit. Plump and rounded, it's more forward than 2010, reflecting the vintage, but it's also very concentrated. The tannins are firm so the wine has great structure, if not the freshness and energy of the 2010. Long.

Vinous

94

par Neal Martin le 01/10/2021

The 2009 Figeac is a gorgeous wine that is really coming into its own. It has quite a precocious bouquet with wild strawberry, blood orange, fig jam, marmalade and gravelly aromas courtesy of the Cabernets. There is real depth on what is quite lush aromatics. The palate is beautifully balanced, very pure with a velvet texture, plenty of ripe red fruit, white pepper, clove, blood orange and kirsch notes, building wonderful towards a powerful yet controlled finish. This is drinking supremely well now, but it will cruise at high altitude for a number of years. Tasted at the château.

Wine Advocate

94

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 18/03/2019

Jamessuckling.com

97

par James Suckling le 07/02/2019

Even in this super-ripe vintage Figeac retains its usual red bell pepper aroma (from the cabernet sauvignon grape) and that adds a light touch to the opulent fruit cake and spice character. The full fine tannins beautifully support the rich palate and make the finish very long and plush. A great 2009! Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)

Jamessuckling.com

96

par James Suckling le 04/02/2019

Savory, sappy, smoked oak and truffles highlight the ripe fruit. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a rich, savory finish. Still needs time to come together. Try after 2021.

Jeb DUNNUCK

95

par Jeb Dunnuck le 15/02/2018

The 2009 Château Figeac is the normal blend of close to equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a beautiful wine that has classic Figeac style, yet is more reserved and backward than most in the vintage. Forest floor, truffle, blackcurrants, cigar ash and green tobacco notes all emerge from this full-bodied, ripe, yet pure, elegant Saint-Emilion that has good acidity and plenty of length. The tannins are ripe, yet firm, it’s nicely balanced, and it blossoms with time in the glass. Nevertheless, it needs another 4-5 years of cellaring to hit prime time, and it should keep for 2-3 decades.

Decanter.com

97

par Jane Anson le 15/11/2017

This is nudging its evolution a little quicker than the 2010. The fruit is beginning to soften, not to tertiary aspects yet, but there are hints of black truffles and woodsmoke. For me the 2010 is the clear winner of the two in terms of longevity, but this is still an extremely accomplished wine that should be celebrated. It has excellent freshness for such a warm year, showing the benefit of its Cabernets, and yet there is no austerity on display - rather it is full of beautifully seductive and richly spiced flavours. Wonderful.

Wine Advocate

95

par Neal Martin le 01/01/2013

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

par Stephen Tanzer le 31/07/2012

(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.

Jamessuckling.com

98

par James Suckling le 15/02/2012

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 Enthusiast

96

par Roger Voss le 01/02/2012

Wine Spectator

96

par James Molesworth le 18/01/2012

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

par Jancis Robinson le 10/10/2011

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

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88-91

par Ian D'Agata le 30/06/2010

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.

Le Figaro

94-96

par Bernard Burtschy le 30/06/2010

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

par Tim Atkin MW le 30/06/2010

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.

WeinWisser

19

par René Gabriel le 17/05/2010

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

par Jacques Dupont le 06/05/2010

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

par Bettane & Desseauve le 30/04/2010

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

Wine Enthusiast

92-94

par Roger Voss le 30/04/2010

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

par Peter Moser le 30/04/2010

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

par Alan Duran le 28/04/2010

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

par Anthony Rose le 26/04/2010

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

par James Suckling le 09/04/2010

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

par Jancis Robinson le 08/04/2010

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+)