Figeac - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016

Jamessuckling.com

96

par James Suckling le 06/02/2026

This has aromas of cedar, earth, dried flowers and touches of smoke and cassis. Medium- to full-bodied and structured, with polished tannins and fruit concentration that give it length and volume. Approachable now, with a long life ahead. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.

Vinous

98

par Neal Martin le 13/08/2020

The 2016 Figeac has a nose of real pedigree, featuring very well-defined, ferrous black fruit with hints of truffle and tobacco and conveying exceptional mineralité and tension. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, a fine bead of acidity and wonderful structure and density toward the finish. This is a seriously fine proposition, although it is a surly Saint-Émilion that may well close down for a while before blazing brightly in 15–20 years’ time. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 98+

Jancis Robinson

18,5

par Jancis Robinson le 05/02/2020

Yvesbeck.wine

99

par Yves Beck le 20/03/2019

Rouge grenat dense aux reflets violets. Quel nez exceptionnel et quelle complexité. Puissance, élégance, fraîcheur et fruit. Agréables notes de groseilles et de myrtilles. Je relève également des notes de lard fumé et des touches florales. Mise en bouche friande, compacte, crémeuse. Au palais, le vin est d'une rare densité mais également très frais grâce à une vive structure. Cette dernière soutient idéalement le fruit, de la mise en bouche jusqu'en finale. Les tannins se révèlent très lentement au fil du palais. Ils ont un grain fin et une impressionnante aptitude à gérer leur puissance tout en laissant suffisamment de place à la finesse. Nous sommes donc dans la notion d'un grand vin qui tutoie la perfection. La fin de bouche confirme la grandeur du vin en rassemblant le côté racé, le fruit et la persistance. Je pense que ce vin n'est pas encore là où il peut, mais il a déjà un pied et 95% du second qui s'y trouvent…. Cela se traduit par 99/100 2026-2056 99/100

Jeb DUNNUCK

98

par Jeb Dunnuck le 01/03/2019

Another brilliant wine from the genius of Frédéric Faye, the 2016 Château Figeac checks in as 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that spent 19 months in new French oak. Roughly 75% of the production made it into the grand vin. This deeply colored beauty is a legendary wine in the making and offers ultra-pure aromas and flavors of crème de cassis, smoke tobacco, dried herbs, chocolate, truffle, and graphite. Showing more violets notes with time in the glass, it builds incrementally on the palate, with flawless balance as well as incredible elegance, no hard edges, and a finish that won't quit. Readers will have a blast comparing the 2016 and 2015 vintages over the coming 3-4 decades and this estate is firing on all cylinders. This will most likely merit a triple-digit rating in 7-8 years and keep for 4 decades or more.

Wine Spectator

96

par James Molesworth le 05/02/2019

A gutsy, fully endowed wine, brimming with dark currant, warm fig and steeped blackberry notes, as well as waves of smoldering tobacco and warm gravel. Features a serious bass line, but everything works together, while flecks of savory and iron dart in and out. Best from 2025 through 2040. 8,333 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

96

par James Suckling le 04/02/2019

This is a very linear and driven Figeac with smooth and fine tannins. Full-bodied, yet compact and reserved. Blackberry, chocolate and hazelnut flavors. Direct and structured. A blend of 38 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 36 per cent merlot, and 26 per cent cabernet franc. Better after 2024.

Vinous

100

par Neal Martin le 24/01/2019

The 2016 Figeac was bottled at the end of July 2018, since Frédéric Faye wanted to give the wine more time in barrel to develop more harmony. The stunning 24-carat bouquet rivets you to the spot with brilliant delineation and mineral-rich red fruit that articulates its terroir as well as any Right Bank you will find. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannin, perfect acidity, wonderfully integrated new oak and enormous depth toward the fresh, pencil-box- and cedar-infused finish. This is a classic Figeac, up there with the 1947 and 1949, both recently re-tasted and testifying to a wine that genuinely belongs among the elite Saint-Émilions. Faye believes it is the best Figeac he has ever made. He is correct.

Vinous

98

par Antonio Galloni le 21/01/2019

The 2016 Figeac is simply extraordinary. A wine of pure energy and vitality, the 2016 pulses with a real sense of drive. Lavender, mint, crème de cassis and cedar start to develop in the glass, but what is most remarkable about the 2016 is its total sense of harmony. There is natural tension, a sort of push and pull, between the wine's intense fruit and structural underpinnings that makes the 2016 a marvel to taste and contemplate. It was positively stunning in two separate tastings. Technical Director Frédéric Faye and his team made an epic Figeac in 2016. 98+

Wine Spectator

96

par James Molesworth le 16/01/2019

A gutsy, fully endowed wine, brimming with dark currant, warm fig and steeped blackberry notes, as well as waves of smoldering tobacco and warm gravel. Features a serious bass line, but everything works together, while flecks of savory and iron dart in and out. Best from 2025 through 2040. From France.—J.M.

Wine Advocate

97

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 30/11/2018

The 2016 Figeac is comprised of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose is a little broody and reticent at this very youthful stage, slowly unfolding to reveal profound plum preserves, crème de cassis, black raspberries and star anise with hints of moss-covered bark, truffles and tilled loam plus a waft of red currants and raspberry leaves sparks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is practically quivering with energy, offering glimpses at tightly wound black fruit and mineral/ferrous layers, framed by very firm, ripe tannins and wonderful tension, finishing long with the spices coming through. This will need a good 7-8 years to come round and then should cellar for 40+ years. Very serious, beautifully poised and sophisticated personality this vintage.

Decanter.com

98

par Jane Anson le 01/11/2018