Chateau Figeac   Chateau Figeac

2018 Chateau Figeac

By Chateau Figeac

2018 Chateau Figeac from Chateau Figeac, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux

The year of 2018 unfurled as a challenging one in Bordeaux, but ultimately delivered a series of outstanding successes, amongst which the 2018 Chateau Figeac from Chateau Figeac proudly stands. As an esteemed reviewer, delving into this particular vintage was both a privilege and a voyage into the illustrious capabilities of Saint-Émilion's most cherished terroirs.

 

Deciphering the Character of 2018

Consistent among the critiques of Bordeaux enthusiasts is the recognition of the 2018 vintage as one proffering concentrated and complex wines—steeped in the climatic challenges of the region. The prolonged growing season, marked by an intense summer heatwave following spring rains, poised a canvas for what is now seen as one of the more voluptuous expressions from Chateau Figeac.

The 2018 Chateau Figeac is a testament to the estate's intimate understanding of their vineyards' remarkable adaptability. With Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc seamlessly intertwined, this wine beckons with a beautifully arched structure and depth, harmonized by the nuanced warmth of its ripened fruit.

 

An Investment Synonymous with Stability and Prosperity

As fine wine investors seek stability married to promise, wines such as the 2018 Chateau Figeac should be pivotal considerations. It carries gravitas as one of Saint-Émilion's finest in a vintage that defied odds and emerged magnificently.

Distinguished by its lavish layers of black cherry, cassis, and subtle shades of violet—to not mention its intricate mineral undertone—the 2018 Chateau Figeac represents an investment opportunity that should be approached with sagacious conviction. Robust tannins and an extended finish suggest an admirable cellaring potential, poising it astutely for future accolades.

In closing, the investment merit intrinsic to the bottles of 2018 Chateau Figeac lies within its heart—a culmination of an exacting year rendered sublime by terroir and savoir-faire. It is here that oenophiles and investors alike can delight in a vintage where resilience has been sculpted into elegance; where warm summer breezes have whispered strength into each grape; where Chateau Figeac immortalizes its mastery.

Market price (GBP)

£1,790.00

12x75cl

Highest score

98

POP score

99.44

Scores and tasting notes

98-99

This shows wonderful precision and focus with dark-berry, tobacco, and blueberry character. Full-bodied, tight and vivid. Solid and structured. Really powerful for Figeac. The real new style here of Figeac that harkens back to the great wines of the 1950s and 1940s. This year, equal parts of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc.

James Suckling - jamessuckling.com - April 2019

97-100

This is pretty gorgeous, with velvety texture that lets nearly exotic cassis, plum and blackberry fruit reduction flavors roll through. Has a beautiful bass line of warm earth and smoldering tobacco notes all while keeping its sensational mouthfeel. The encore on the finish makes you realize this is the serious gourmet stuff. One of the highlights of the vintage.—J.M.

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator - April 2019

98

Back to a more traditional blend after last year's frost impact, Figeac has done a wonderful job of harnessing the opulence of the vintage while maintaining freshness. This is extremely focussed and precise, with a silky texture and inky depths, developing complexity as the flavours unfurl. These are big tannins but they steal up on you, doing that subtle creep that's such a marker of the vintage. Powerful, utterly gorgeous and clearly a wine that will age well, this is equal to the estate's excellent 2016. Harvest ran from 17 September to 12 October, giving a 39hl/ha yield (with 70% organic farming, 30% bio-control). 65% of the crop went into the grand vin. 3.7pH.

Jane Anson - Decanter - April 2019

97-99

The 2018 Figeac is composed of 37% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc, harvested September 17 to October 12 with a 3.7 pH and 14% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it charges out of the gate with vivacious black and red cherries, cassis, warm plums and wild blueberries scents plus fragrant hints of violets, star anise, tilled soil and forest floor with wafts of Ceylon tea and chocolate box. Full-bodied and jam-packed with energetic, crunchy black and blue fruits, it has a rock-solid, firm, grainy frame and loads of bright, refreshing sparks lifting the dense layers on the very long, savory finish. Wow—the Cabernet really makes itself known this vintage, and it is good. The signature of this wine is so clear, so defined, that this is a Bordeaux wine without peers. In my view, this is the finest Figeac ever produced.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 23rd April 2019

97

The 2018 Figeac is composed of 37% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc, with a 3.7 pH and 14% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple in color, it soars out of the glass with opening notes of freshly crushed red and black cherries, mulberries and ripe, juicy plums, followed by hints of violets, damp soil, cedar chest, crushed rocks and pencil shavings. The medium-bodied, elegantly styled palate features bags of freshness and exquisitely ripe, beautifully poised tannins to support the bright, energetic black and red fruit layers, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. This is absolutely recognizable as being cut from the same cloth as old-school Figeac, but all the recent vineyard and winemaking improvements have unveiled the beautifully ripe, intense, nuanced potential here. Bravo to managing director/winemaker Frédéric Faye and his team! Although there is a lot to love about this wine right now, give it 5-6 years for the oak to fully integrate and the underlying perfume suggestions to emerge, then enjoy over the next 20-25 years or more.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 22 April 2021

96-99

The 2018 Figeac is simply magnificent. A regal, soaring wine with tremendous vertical lift and nuance, the 2018 is marvelously complete from the very first taste. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. Medium in body and refined, the 2018 is vibrant, with fine tannins and, frankly, quite a bit more freshness than I expected to see given the very dry, sunny summer. Rose petal, mint, lavender and spice add nuance to a core of red/purplish fruit. Harvest started on September 17 and finished on October 12. Yields were 39 hectoliters per hectare, just shy of the historical average of 42/32. While mildew pressure was an issue, it was the dry October winds and their dehydrating effect on the last Cabernets that impacted yields most. Like so many of his colleagues, Technical Director Frederic Faye and his team opted for gentler vinifications with no SO2 at crush, lower temperatures in fermentation and smaller pumpovers. The 2018 Figeac is brilliant. That's all there is to it. The blend is 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times.

Antonio Galloni - Vinous - April 2019

Vintage performance