Today sees the release of Château Figeac at the lofty level of £1,518 per 6 bottle case in bond, 55% up on the 2021 release price (£978 per 6 in bond).
Perhaps this was to be expected, given the nature of the 2022 en primeur campaign and that 2022 is the first Figeac vintage to be released under the Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) classification.
While Figeac’s recent promotion to the top tier of the Saint-Emilion classification and the unquestionable quality in the glass may justify a hike in price, such an increase is likely to make it more difficult for followers of Figeac of the last five or so years to continue to purchase. This release price is undoubtedly a sign of what is to come – to put it in context, the four previously recognised Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) châteaux of Ausone, Cheval Blanc, Angelus and Pavie released their 2022 vintages at £3,400, £2,880, £2,148 and £1,788 per six bottles respectively, while their scores from Neal Martin were 95-97+, 98-100, 95-97 and 93-95 against Figeac’s 97-99. So it is clear that Figeac is repositioning itself. And it is widely recognised as deserving of its place at the very top of the hierarchy; it truly is a stunning wine whose quality we happily endorse.
Please see below for notes from William Kelley, Neal Martin, Jane Anson and Antonio Galloni:
2022 Château Figeac, Saint-Emilion, 1er Grand Cru Classé (A)
£1,518 per 6 bottle case in bond
98-100 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
A blend of 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Figeac is a brilliant wine with which to celebrate this property's elevation to Premier Grand Cru Classé "A" status. Wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries and cassis mingled with notions of iris, forest floor, cigar wrapper and pencil lead, it's medium to full-bodied, pure and perfumed, with a deep and multidimensional core of fruit, bright acids and beautifully refined tannins. Serious yet civilized, it's the quintessential Figeac, testament to the late Thierry Manoncourt's vision to plant such a large proportion of Cabernet, and on drought-resistant rootstocks. Such is the inherent complexity of Figeac's terroirs that harvest took place sub-block by sub-block between September 1st and 25th. Congratulations are in order for the Manoncourt family, director Frédéric Faye, consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos and all their team.
97-99 points, Neal Martin, Vinous
The 2022 Figeac was picked between 1-26 September with the pH of 3.7 and 14% alcohol. This wine combines both Left Bank and Right Bank traits due to its blend (as usual), but this year leans more to the Right Bank despite a slightly lower contribution of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is very well defined, fresh and shows lively black fruit, incense and nuanced Chinese tea aromas. The palate is beautifully balanced with a lightly spiced entry, fine depth and with plenty of concentration counterbalanced by finesse toward the graphite-infused finish. Its saline aftertaste beckons you back for another sip. An appropriate way to start your tenure as a Grand Cru Classé "A". Drink 2032-2070
98 points, Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Vibrant damson in colour, edges of gunsmoke and red rose petals on the aromatics, as you so often find in Figeac, with dense cassis, black cherry, incense, graphite, slate, mint leaf, cocoa bean, cappucino and liquorice on the palate. This is creamy but airy, and full of joy. Close to the 2016 vintage in its construction and effortless confidence, no question of the ageing ability of this wine, and a fine vintage to mark the first year as Premier Grand Cru Classé A. Breaking down how they got here, you find inevitably careful winemaking with no pumping over, cool 26C for fermentation, making use of techniques learnt in the hot, dry summer of 2018, from cover crops to minimum green harvesting. Blend finished including 8% press in March, 3.7ph, harvest began September 1, earliest on record, until 26, second vintage in new winery. Frederic Faye director.
96-99 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
The 2022 Figeac is a magnificent, super-classic Figeac, as odd as that might sound in this freakish vintage. A wine of sublime delicacy and nuance, the 2022 possesses tremendous aromatic presence, finely sculpted fruit and phenomenal persistence. I especially admire the wine's freshness, energy and clean, mineral finish. The 2022 is a towering Figeac, a wine that brilliantly showcases the unique qualities of this site. Figeac is a rare Right Bank estate with gravel and blue clay soils that are not often found here, planted approximately with equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 2032-2052
Please let us know of your interest.
All the best,
Simon