Ch. Figeac
Grand Cru
Saint Emilion
2000

The producer

One of the most stunning properties in Saint-Emilion with its woodlands, lakes and park amidst the vineyards, Figeac has been owned by the Manoncourt family since 1947. Thierry Manoncourt was the first of the top estates, in Saint-Emilion, to introduce temperature-controlled, stainless-steel vats in the fermentation rooms. He was also the first of the top estates on the Right Bank to start producing a ‘second wine’. Figeac is located in the north-western corner of Saint-Emilion, directly east of the Cheval Blanc vineyards, on deep gravel and iron rich soils.

Sharing the same soils as its neighbour, Cheval Blanc, Figeac also shares a preference for the majority of Cabernets in the blend - roughly a third each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon contributes a more rigid structure to the blend and very good acidity which is beneficial especially in warm vintages. The wines age in 100% new oak barrels for an average of 18-22 months. Overall, Figeac represents an elegant expression of Saint-Emilion, but that doesn’t mean a lack of fruit and concentration, because Figeac has it in spades.

A beautifully classic Saint-Emilion, the wines have been at the very top of the area for many decades. Figeac is classified as 1er Grand Cru Classe A.

The wine

Figeac’s vineyards are located in the northeast of the appellation, close to the Pomerol border, and the vine age is on average 40 years although some vines are up to 100 years old. The blend varies with vintage conditions but always has a majority of the Cabernets - roughly a third each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon contributes a more rigid structure to the blend and very good acidity which is beneficial especially in warm vintages.

Fermentation takes place in a combination of concrete and stainless-steel tanks and is followed by ageing in 100% new oak barrels for an average of 15-18 months. Overall, Figeac represents an elegant expression of Saint-Emilion, but that doesn’t mean a lack of fruit and concentration, because Figeac has it in spades. A beautifully classic Saint-Emilion, the wines have been at the very top of the area for many decades.

We choose our wines based on a range of criteria (see how we choose our wines) of which critic scores is just one. Rather than simply highlight the best score to promote a wine, our average critic score is calculated from the scores provided by several respected wine critics, who we follow for specific regions. They do not represent all critic scores and, wherever possible, we try and give more weight to more recent reviews. Where appropriate we consider market-based scores like Global Wine Score or Wine Searcher Average scores.

As a rule, we look to offer wines that achieve a 92/100 average critic score or better and frankly a lot of very good wines simply don’t make the cut. As a high-end provider we want to reflect that positioning in the quality of wines we offer. Such wines are only a tiny fraction of those generally on offer in the market. We believe that an average score is a more conservative and representative approach, but it is still subjective and only offered as a guide to our customers, who will (and should) do their own research. We will add individual critic scores to our website in the future.