Château Figeac 1999 - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

The Producer

Château Figeac is one of the most emblematic estates in Bordeaux, located in the Saint-Émilion appellation on the right bank of the Dordogne. It has been owned by the Manoncourt family since 1892, and its modern development owes much to Thierry Manoncourt, a prominent figure in 20th-century Bordeaux who shaped the unique style of the estate. Historically, the estate spanned hundreds of hectares in the 18th century before being fragmented, which explains the presence of the nameFigeacin several neighboring properties today; but the Manoncourt family has maintained and elevated the reputation of the heart of the estate. In the official Saint-Émilion classification of 2022, Château Figeac was promoted to the prestigious rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé A, one of the highest levels of the appellation.

The charm and energy of Château Figeac come from an exceptional and very atypical terroir for Saint-Émilion: the vines grow on three mounds of Günz gravel, rich in quartz, flint, and flint, resting on a subsoil of blue clay. This well-drained and warm soil promotes optimal ripening of the grapes and allows for an unusual proportion of noble Bordeaux grape varieties: about 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 30% Merlot. This dominance of cabernets, rare on the right bank, gives the wines finesse, freshness, structure, and elegance, sometimes closer to the style of the great wines of Médoc. The total area of the estate is about 54 hectares, of which 41 hectares of vines are in a single block, a configuration that reinforces the unity of style of the wine.

Today, Château Figeac represents contemporary Bordeaux excellence, producing about 120,000 bottles per year, guided by a team that combines tradition and innovation. In 2021, the estate inaugurated a state-of-the-art semi-buried cellar of 5,000 square meters designed for parcel-based vinification, promoting the pure expression of the terroir with gravity-fed facilities and noble materials. The wine is characterized by a great aging potential — it can evolve positively for decades — and by remarkable aromatic complexity, blending fruit, minerality, freshness, and tannic structure. Alongside the grand wine is Petit Figeac, a second wine that embodies the spirit of the estate at a more affordable price, while respecting the identity of the place.

The Wine

Viticulture is conducted with a sustainable and parcel-based approach, prioritizing soil work and respect for natural balances in order to fully express the historical gravels of the estate. Vinification takes place parcel by parcel in the gravity cellar, with controlled fermentations and aging in French oak barrels that preserve the wine's finesse, freshness, and aging potential. 

Tasting

The nose is complex and elegant, blending ripe black fruits, floral notes, fine spices, and a mineral touch characteristic of the gravelly terroir. The palate is ample and precise, supported by a fine tannic structure, great freshness, and a remarkable balance between power and elegance. The finish is long, persistent, and refined, suggesting a very high aging potential.