Figeac 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint-Emilion, 2016

Figeac 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion 2016 is a benchmark right-bank Bordeaux that perfectly showcases the estate’s signature balance of Cabernet and Merlot. In a superb vintage like 2016, Figeac delivers a wine of precision, freshness, and remarkable finesse, built for both serious collectors and lovers of classical claret. Its hallmark elegance, combined with impressive depth and aging potential, makes this a standout in any cellar or on any special table. What sets Figeac apart in Saint-Émilion is its unusually high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, planted on gravel soils more commonly associated with the Médoc. This gives the wine its distinctive structure, aromatic complexity, and longevity, distinguishing it from the richer, Merlot-dominant styles nearby. With roots dating back to Roman times and a long history as one of Saint-Émilion’s most respected estates, Château Figeac is firmly established as a reference-point producer in Bordeaux.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2016 Figeac shows a deep, vibrant ruby to garnet hue with a luminous rim, signaling both concentration and freshness. The nose is beautifully layered and refined, opening with dark berries, blackcurrant, and ripe plum, followed by notes of violet, graphite, cedar, and tobacco leaf. With air, more subtle nuances emerge: hints of cocoa, pencil shavings, finely ground spice, and a gentle herbal lift from the Cabernet family grapes. On the palate, this vintage is all about harmony and precision. Medium to full-bodied, it glides across the tongue with silky, polished tannins and a core of pure black fruit framed by lively acidity. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, and red cherry intertwine with savory notes of cigar box, forest floor, and baking spices, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish. The 2016 structure is firm yet elegant, suggesting excellent cellaring potential: while already approachable with proper aeration, it will continue to develop complexity and tertiary nuances over 15–25 years or more under good storage conditions.

Production
Château Figeac’s character is deeply rooted in its exceptional terroir on the western side of Saint-Émilion, where gravelly soils over clay and sand are unique in this appellation and particularly favorable to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The 2016 blend (typically Merlot with a strong presence of both Cabernets) reflects careful parcel selection and meticulous vineyard work, with grapes harvested by hand at optimal ripeness to preserve freshness and balance. In the cellar, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vats, with gentle extraction to safeguard the wine’s finesse rather than brute power. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels—often with a high proportion of new oak—for an extended period, allowing the tannins to integrate, the aromatics to blossom, and the signature elegance of Figeac to fully emerge before bottling.

Food & Serving
This 2016 Figeac shines alongside refined, savory dishes that complement its structure and complexity. Classic pairings include roast lamb with herbs, beef tenderloin, duck breast, and game birds, as well as dishes featuring mushrooms, truffle, or earthy root vegetables. It also works beautifully with aged hard cheeses such as Comté or matured Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight both its fruit and aromatic detail. For current drinking, decanting 1–2 hours before serving is recommended to allow the wine to open and soften; mature bottles may need a gentler, shorter decant to avoid disturbing sediment.

Producer
Château Figeac is one of the most storied estates in Saint-Émilion, with viticultural origins tracing back to the Roman era and a modern history that has helped define the region’s reputation for world-class wines. Classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé, Figeac is renowned for its distinctive choice to plant a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc on its gravelly soils, setting it apart from the more Merlot-focused châteaux of the right bank. Over the decades, the estate has earned a reputation for producing wines of remarkable poise, longevity, and complexity—wines that bridge the elegance of the Médoc with the suppleness of Saint-Émilion. Consistently acclaimed by critics and collectors alike, Figeac stands as a flagship of the appellation and a reference name in Bordeaux at large.