1989 Chateau Figeac
By Chateau Figeac
1989 Château Figeac from Château Figeac, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
In the canon of consequential vintages from Bordeaux, the 1989 Château Figeac from Château Figeac is a tome of its own. As a critic who has traversed the extensive library of noble Bordeaux vintages, I can attest to the majestic presence this particular year imparts within the fabled land of Saint-Émilion. The '89 vintage stands out as one of opulence and poise, a year when nature conspired to bestow upon the vines a condition close to perfection.
Nature's Generosity: The 1989 Provenance
As with all illustrious wines, terroir plays its part incontrovertibly; yet, the climatic conditions of '89 saw to an exceptional alliance that catapulted this vintage into historical significance. A rather clement winter yielded to an ideally warm spring, ushering in an early bud break. The subsequent summer provided enough hydric stress to concentrate the flavours, while retaining ample vigour for harmonious maturation—a sequential symphony that led to an early harvest of impeccable grapes.
The Essence of 1989: A Tasting Odyssey
In tasting, one relishes in the sumptuous depth that the 1989 Château Figeac offers—a remarkable composition of lusciously ripe Merlot complemented by the structural backbone provided by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Notes of blackcurrant, undercurrents of tobacco and truffles dance around a core of melted tannins—a testament to thirty-four years of graceful ageing. Its finish is as lingering as it is complex; etching its memory long after the final sip.
For astute fine wine investors looking for remarkable bottles that tell the story of their vintage almost telepathically, the '89 from Château Figeac serves as both a collectible artefact and a compelling chapter in any connoisseur’s anthology.
A Vintage Earned: Investment Musings on 1989 Château Figeac
Investment-wise, 1989 Château Figeac emerges not simply as a triumph of enological artistry but as an astute addition to any portfolio. With genuine individuality and a magnificent track record for longevity, it's a vintage that continues to accrue both value and reverence within circles seeking wine investments that resonate beyond mere monetary contemplation.
Indeed, to hold a bottle of 1989 Château Figeac is to hold a liquid tapestry woven with the unique threads of that year's character—an investable luxury awaiting those insightful enough to appreciate its narrative.
Market price (SGD)
$5,950.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
274.62
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property. In many ways, the 1989 Figeac was the biggest surprise of the vertical tasting. Hitherto lambasted by critics (including myself I might had), here it seemed to have undergone some Damascene conversion! Generous on the nose, it does not quite offer the fruit intensity of the 1990, but there are lovely warm gravel and licorice aromas, all beautifully detailed. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, sensual in style with Provençal herbs and fennel tincturing the mixture of smudged red and black fruit. From all accounts, it appears to have been a wine that shot out of the blocks with style, then ran out of steam for many years. Yet here, it is as if the 1989 has rediscovered that youthful promise, perchance at a point in time when many bottles have been popped and poured. Tasted June 2015.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 30 August 2016