Figeac 1996

robert_parker82

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

I know the proprietors of Figeac think I am unduly tough on their wines, but I am a huge fan of Figeac. When it is exceptional, I purchase and drink it with great pleasure. However, too many Figeacs lack concentration and evolve too quickly. Such is the case with the 1996. Medium ruby-colored, with a mature nose of cedar, tobacco, fruitcake, and cherry fruit, it is a light, medium-bodied wine with evidence of dilution. The finish is abrupt with light tannin, Drink it over the next 7-8 years.

robert_parker

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

First tasted en primeur when it was rich, verging on jammy. A woeful bottle at La Vigneronne at the Figeac vertical: A deep brick/garnet core with a degradated light ruby rim. The nose is simplistic and lacks vigour. Doesn't really go anywhere: quite leafy. The palate is high-toned, mean and uninspiring. It tasted like a £6.00 Chilean Merlot! Likeable wine but nowhere near the standard of a Grand Cru chateau. Drink over 3-5 years. Tasted April 2003.

robert_parker86

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This intriguing wine possesses 90-point aromatics and 75-point flavors. I love a great Figeac (i.e., 1990 and 1982), but too often this wine comes across as anorexic and undernourished. The knock-out nose of tobacco, fruitcake, Asian spices, and incense is captivating. However, once the wine hits the palate it is angular, lean, and light-bodied without enough fruit and flesh to cover its structure. If it deepens and puts on weight, my score should rise significantly, but the astringent tannin and empty mid-palate are worrisome. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2008.

robert_parker86

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Figeac is another great estate with a fabulous terroir that seems to make approximately two profound wines per decade (1990 and 1982). Given how well Cabernet Sauvignon, and, to a certain extent, old vine Cabernet Franc performed in 1996, I had expected Figeac to shine. The medium dark ruby-colored 1996 exhibits light to medium body, good but uninspiring concentration, and attractive sweet curranty fruit in its cedary, spicy nose. Hard tannin in the finish is unlikely to melt away over the next 3-4 years. This wine should evolve quickly for a 1996. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2010.

robert_parker84

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property from magnum, the 1996 Figeac has always been one of those "could have been wines." I agree with Robert Parker in that a difficult Right Bank vintage should have played into their hands given the Cabernet plantings. Certainly an effort was made by the late Thierry Manoncourt to counter the rain and 50% of the crop de-selected from the Grand Vin when picked between 30 September and 10 October. However, the bottom line is that this 1996 pales against other vintages. It is mature in color with some bricking on the rim. The nose is relatively simple with brown spice and a light marine influence. Medium-bodied with light tannin, it feels monochromatic, very linear and stern, without the fruit or the complexity to really see it through. Drink sooner rather than later. Tasted June 2015.

robert_parker86

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The medium dark ruby-colored 1996 exhibits light to medium body, good but uninspiring concentration, and attractive sweet curranty fruit in its cedary, spicy nose. Hard tannin in the finish is unlikely to melt away over the next 3-4 years. This wine should evolve quickly for a 1996. Figeac is a great estate with a fabulous terroir that seems to make approximately two profound wines per decade (1990 and 1982). Given how well Cabernet Sauvignon, and, to a certain extent, old vine Cabernet Franc performed in 1996, I had expected Figeac to shine.Anticipated maturity: 2002-2010. Last tasted 11/97