We have just received details of the release of 2016 Château Figeac. Simon's offer is below.
We anticipated that this Château would be looking to re-position itself with the release of its 2016 – and that is just what has happened with a release price this morning of £925 per 6 bottle case in bond. This represents a substantial price increase over the 2015, but consensus would suggest it was warranted. Long-considered one of the underperformers of St. Emilion, Château Figeac has hit a rich vein of form since the 2012 vintage under the stewardship of Fréderic Faye. When Michel Rolland stepped into the role of consultant to the estate, it would be fair to say that quality shot up dramatically. As Neal Martin has said, ‘this is a property that opened a new chapter in 2013, when Michel Rolland’s services as a master blender have been called upon and engendered far greater harmony between the three grape varieties, now all singing from the same hymn sheet.’
Figeac certainly has the potential, and now the aspiration, to win promotion to St. Emilion’s top tier, the Premier Grand Cu Classé (A). This large estate (40 hectares) occupies a fascinating terroir that allows Cabernet Sauvignon to account for 35% of the vineyard, an unusually high percentage for any Right Bank property. For many years, the blend was one third Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, the blend is more flexible and the team can therefore adapt to different successes and influences in any given vintage.
I could very well sound like a stuck record here, but I was impressed by the precision and freshness of the 2016 vintage…perhaps not as generous in fruit as the 2015, this vintage seems more sophisticated and refined. The 2016 Figeac shows great clarity to the fruit, juicy characters of blackberry and spiced raspberry with a discreet background leafiness. That tell-tale gravel-like nuance is also on show. A very impressive vintage and an admirable follow up to the striking 2015. Yes, the two vintages will provide for another interesting comparison in time.
2016 Château Figeac
(98-100) points, Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate
£925 per 6 bottle case in bond
The 2016 Figeac is a blend of 36% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked from 23 September until 20 October at 49 hectoliters per hectare with 13.9% alcohol. The acidity is 3.67 pH, and it matured in 100% new oak (focused on five cooperages). This is a property that opened a new chapter in 2013, when Michel Rolland's services as a master blender have been called upon and engendered far greater harmony between the three grape varieties, now all singing from the same hymn sheet. It has a crisp blackberry nose, a little closed at first, opening nicely in the glass and offering raspberry coulis, pencil box and subtle mint aromas—classic Figeac in many ways. The palate is extraordinarily well balanced with a fine lattice of tannin sculpted to perfection. There is a slight edginess to this Figeac that I adore, the Cabernets very expressive, more so than the 2015, with graphite infusing every pore of the black fruit. This Figeac has an outstanding structure and a saline finish that beckons you back for another sip. The 2015 Figeac was stunning and the 2016 no less. Tasted on four separate occasions, and in the end, only one (banded) score became inevitable.
Please note that there are limited volumes available; we may need to limit purchases to no more than 6 bottles per client depending on demand.