Varietal: 1/3 Merlot 1/3 Cabernet Franc, 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vintage: 2010 Colour: Red Style: Dry

Producer: Chateau Figeac

Description:

As a Premier Grand Cru Classé, Château-Figeac embodies the excellence of Saint Emilion fine wines throughout the world. Château-Figeac has belonged to the Manoncourt family since 1892.

The vineyard

Chateau Figeac enjoys an exceptional location, to the west of the Saint-Emilion appellation, on the fringe of the Pomerol appellation. The estate's vineyard covers 40 hectares of vines that are planted on three different gravelly hills. Respect for biodiversity and the flora and fauna are at the heart of the estate's concerns. The grape varieties are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

The vintage

Although the end of 2010 was marked by a significant amount of rainfall, which helped to replenish the estate’s water reserves, the winter of 2010 was particularly cold and dry. Starting at the beginning of April, budburst was even but slow due to the low temperatures. The fruit set, was also slowed down due to the fluctuationd during the month of June. In July and August, the milder conditions ensured the optimal ripening of the grapes and the temperature variations between daytime and nighttime resulted in a perfect synthesis of polyphenols. Veraison occurred rapidly and the vineyard was in perfect condition. Manual harvesting is carried out based on the ripeness of each plot. The harvested grapes are well-balanced and have a nice aromatic complexity, while still showcasing a pleasant freshness.

The vinification and ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand with the greatest care and are optically sorted in order to keep only the highest quality grapes. A long vatting period without extracting the astringent tannins. Vinification in wooden and stainless steel tanks with punching of the cap adapted to each plot. Maceration with an immersed cap, for the batches vinified in wooden tanks, favours a natural infusion and softens the tannins. The wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (100% new oak).

The blend

1/3 Merlot 1/3 Cabernet Franc, 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon.

2010 Figeac, St-Emilion

SKU #113451598 points James Suckling

 Intense aromas of wet earth, leaves, sweet berries and cinnamon follow through to a full body, velvety and dense tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Opulent style. Just opening now, but this shows lots of stuffing, even if it does tighten down on the palate. Integrated and fine.  (2/2017)

98 points Vinous

 The 2010 Figeac has a deep hue. The nose is quite introverted at first, with dark berry fruit, incense, touches of fig and mulberry. The palate is beautifully balanced with a fine bead of acidity, gorgeous pure fruit, mulberry and dark plum, gentle considering the vintage. This 2010 has softened in the last couple of years, gaining depth towards the finish. Very persistent - this is just beginning to show what it is capable of. (NM)  (10/2021)

97 points Decanter

 This is a Figeac that rhymes with freshness and fragrance, endowed as it is with compelling scents of flowers including iris, menthol, ripe black fruits, spices, and a touch of graphite. It embodies the singular style of the 2010 vintage that produced dense, fleshy yet fresh wines of strong personality, but Figeac also shines for the taut and precise architecture of its fine-grained tannic structure. This is a magnificent wine worthy of cellaring for at least twenty years. (YC)  (9/2021)

97 points Wine Advocate

 Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Figeac bursts from the glass with gregarious scents of baked blueberries, black cherry compote and chocolate box with hints of camphor, pencil lead and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has beautifully ripe, velvety tannins and bold freshness supporting the generous fruit, finishing long and layered. (LPB)  (3/2020)

96 points Jeb Dunnuck

 Based on a normal mix of close to equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, the 2010 is still youthful yet certainly offers pleasure today. Deep ruby/plum-hued with a classic Figeac nose of red and black currants, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and truffle, and it certainly seems more Médoc than Saint-Emilion. Beautifully balanced on the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, and has silky tannins, a terrific mix of both richness and freshness, and an overriding sense of elegance. It's a gorgeous Figeac just coming into its own, with another two decades of prime drinking ahead of it. (JD)  (11/2021)

96 points Wine Enthusiast

 This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine always stands out as a powerhouse of impressive tannins. In 2010, it is complex with a dense structure, tight mineral texture and dense wood. Underneath, the ripe black fruits bring the promise for the long-term future. Give this wine at least 10 years. *Cellar Selection* (RV)  (5/2013)

96 points Wine Spectator

 This is very tight, showing a prominent roasted apple wood and bittersweet cocoa frame more today, though the core of dense currant paste, blackberry pâte de fruit and plum sauce waits in reserve. Gorgeous singed spice, anise and toasted fig bread notes flitter through the finish, though this needs some time in the cellar to resolve itself fully. A very distinctive, structured expression of St.-Emilion. (JM)  (3/2013)

91 points Int'l Wine Cellar

 Bright ruby-red. Cassis, blueberry, flowers and clove on the precise, vibrant nose. Then tight and imploded on the palate, with an almost minty, peppery austerity to the black and blue fruit flavors; hardly your typical 2010! This very pure, spicy Saint-Emilion has the structure of a cabernet, and its youthfully forbidding tannins call for at least eight years of patience. It will merit an even higher score if it blossoms in the bottle. (ST) 91+  (7/2013)