1982 Chateau Figeac
By Chateau Figeac
An Ode to the 1982 Chateau Figeac from Chateau Figeac, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
The splendid 1982 vintage remains a benchmark year for Bordeaux enthusiasts and collectors alike, with many estates reaching the zenith of their vinous potential. Amid this illustrious company, the 1982 Chateau Figeac from Chateau Figeac stands monumentally as a paragon of Saint-Émilion's finesse and vitality.
Unfolding the Tapestry: The 1982 Enigma
The conditions of 1982 gifted an unparalleled foundation for a wine of epic stature – an early, warm spring and a long, sun-drenched summer created an almost mythic narrative around this vintage. The 1982 Chateau Figeac encapsulates that serendipitous climatic alchemy with a charming opulence that sings harmoniously of its origin's terrior.
Investment and Indulgence: A Timeless Intersection
In investing terms, the 1982 vintage from Chateau Figeac has showcased remarkable returns and retained a legendary status amongst collections. Decades following its inception, this particular expression from the esteemed Right Bank continues to inspire awe for its soaring complexity and poise.
At the zenith of maturity, the bouquet unfurls with an eloquence that speaks of dark cherries and ripe plums intermingled with subtler whispers of truffle and faded violets. The palate is lavishly adorned with supple tannins that echo tales of cedar and spice; a mélange redolent of Saint-Émilion's noble heritage. It glides effortlessly into a finish that is astoundingly enduring – witness to the sheer craft nestled within each bottle.
To sip on the 1982 Chateau Figeac is to engage in a passage through time, one where every discerning note articulates the vintage's idiosyncratic grace. Wine investment cognoscenti remain vigilant of such storied vintages – recognising that opportunities to partake in their storied histories are as finite as the liquid itself.
In conclusion, the profound elegance coupled with robust investment credentials cements the 1982 Chateau Figeac as a jewel in any serious investor's collection. Its heights of aromatic complexity and palate sophistication are reflective not only of a legendary vintage but also of Chateau Figeac’s indefatigable dedication to their craft. A veritable masterpiece worth securing for those seeking both vinous pleasure and patrimonial signification alike.
Current market price
£5,930.00
12x75cl
Highest score
90
POP score
593
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property. The 1982 Figeac appears to have dipped in form over the last few years and certainly here, compared directly against the 1989 and 1990, it does not quite offer the same fruit intensity or joie-de-vivre. It feels more diffuse on the nose, perhaps more herbaceous, a facet that I cannot remember on older bottles of 1982 that I tasted. The palate is medium-bodied, atypically austere for a 1982, but with impressive length. It is like a Saint Emilion that has forgotten how to have fun in some ways. It is better than the bottle encountered in 2013, yet given the choice, I would pick the 1990 over the 1982. Tasted June 2015.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 30 August 2016