Figeac 1997

robert_parker87

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 1997 Figeac is very good, possibly excellent. Charming and delicious, with a dried herb, black cherry, licorice, and fruitcake-scented nose, it possesses soft, lush, curranty flavors, but not a great deal of body or depth. It is beautifully harmonious and cleanly made. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.

robert_parker85

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A light medium ruby color is worrisome, but this estate generally aims for an elegant, under-stated style of wine. Already easy to drink, the 1997 Figeac is remarkably evolved and mature at six months of age! A peppery, herbaceous, red currant nose is pretty, but not intense. In the mouth, this light-bodied wine is soft and round, with low acidity. It displays obvious charm, but no real depth or intensity. I would opt for drinking it over its first 5-6 years of life.

robert_parker76

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This wine, which was light but charming prior to bottling, appears to have lost what little flesh and allure it once possessed. Light ruby-colored, with insignificant body, a cedary, washed-out, vegetal nose, and short finish, it is a thin, disappointing St.-Emilion. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.

robert_parker86

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Moderate garnet core with light brick rim. The nose is light and ephemeral, rather one-dimensional with airy-fairy red-berried fruit, Maraschino, candied fruit, redcurrant with a touch of smoke. The palate is light and well balanced, very drinkable, much more attractive than the nose, feminine with wild strawberry and Morello towards the short finish. Not exactly an intellectual Figeac but one to quaff with wanton abandon, one with innocent appeal. Drink now-2012 Tasted July 2008

robert_parker87

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Ruby colour. Perhaps a little thin looking. Nose still closed. Good jammy tobacco palate with moderate tannins. Balanced but no great shakes. Rather bland. Tasted April 1999.

robert_parker86

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the property, the 1997 Figeac has seemed to endure difficult adolescence and received some poor reviews. Now approaching 20 years old, it has pulled through and reached maturity to offer vestiges of pleasure. The bouquet demonstrated more intensity than I anticipated: melted tar mixed with mulberry and redcurrant, a light tobacco note emerging with time and eventually dominating the aromatic profile. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly dry tannin, tobacco and cigar box, fully mature as it expresses secondary notes, any primary fruit fading with time. This 1997 is masculine and almost Saint Julien in style, attenuating towards the finish, clearly a Figeac that is reaching the end of its drinking window. I am not sure that it is a wine I would dive in and buy, rather one that I might select if found on a restaurant list at a decent price. Tasted June 2016.