Figeac 2010

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Figeac 2010 has a superb, more classically lined bouquet with tense blackcurrant, raspberry and crushed violets that almost explode from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy ripe black fruit on the entry with a dash of white pepper that leaves the tongue tingling. This is very linear and composed, but there is clearly potential for those prepared to wait. Tasted January 2014.

robert_parker

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The Figeac ’10 has a tightly coiled nose with good definition: dark berried fruit, earthy, sandalwood and smoke, though it would benefit from more vigour. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins on the entry, good grip but is missing some fruite in the mid-palate with a dry, slightly astringent finish. Not the fireworks of the 2009s but then again, Figeac always is a problem child in its youth. Tasted April 2011.

robert_parker88

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. I really wanted to be smitten by Figeac, one of Saint Emilion’s greatest estates. But as much as I try to muster excitement on the nose, it just lacks the same joyfulness and intensity as its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with dark chocolate and hints of mocha infusing the red berry fruit. It feels a little as if the oak has been lacquered on to compensate for any deficiencies in the fruit. It is not a bad Saint Emilion...but not a great Figeac. Tasted November 2012.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property and then in Bordeaux a year later. The 2010 Figeac was a "problem child" in its youth, very variable and difficult to pin down, vexing on occasion. Now with a couple of years in bottle, it is really beginning to show what it can do and it far surpassed my expectations. Certainly, it is more withdrawn on the nose compared to the more generous 2009 Figeac. The aromatics are holding everything back. Then, with continued aeration it reveals a subtle marine influence—seaweed and sea spray scents, estuary mudflats. The palate is medium-bodied with moderate depth, but what really distinguishes this wine are the fineness of the tannin, the symmetry of the structure and freshness on the finish, facets hitherto kept secret. As such, it surpasses the 2009, the weightless but intense finish beckoning you to take another sip. The aromatics need to up their game and match what's evolving on the palate—if they do, this will be a very serious Figeac. Tasted July 2016.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Figeac bursts from the glass with gregarious scents of baked blueberries, black cherry compote and chocolate box with hints of camphor, pencil lead and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has beautifully ripe, velvety tannins and bold freshness supporting the generous fruit, finishing long and layered.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

(35% cabernet franc, 35% cabernet sauvignon and 30% merlot) Deep ruby-red. Ripe aromas of blackberry and cassis along with oak-derived clove, cinnamon and coriander. Soft and supple on entry, with flavors similar to the aromas, then increasingly austere toward the back, finishing with mounting tannins and a persistent floral quality. There's plenty of ripe fruit underneath all the oak.

vinous98

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2010 Figeac has a deep hue. The nose is quite introverted at first, with dark berry fruit, incense, touches of fig and mulberry. The palate is beautifully balanced with a fine bead of acidity, gorgeous pure fruit, mulberry and dark plum, gentle considering the vintage. This 2010 has softened in the last couple of years, gaining depth towards the finish. Very persistent - this is just beginning to show what it is capable of. Tasted at the vertical in Berlin.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2010 Figeac has a luscious and rather ravishing bouquet with black cherries, mulberry and soy aromas, driven by the Merlot more than the Cabernet components. It feels pure and voluptuous, atypical for a Figeac. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe succulent tannins, plenty of tarry black fruit, a fine bead of acidity and more expressive Cabernet towards the cedar and mineral-tinged finish. Very fine, but it needs a couple more years. Tasted at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.

vinous97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2010 Figeac has a youthful and exuberant bouquet with black cherries, boysenberry, cassis and violets that soar from the glass. There is no stopping the aromatics here. The palate is rich and sensual on the entry with precocious red fruit laced with blood orange and cedar. It firms up a little towards the structured finish that exerts fine grip and there is real persistence in evidence. This is a very classy 2010 Right Bank, this bottle showing even better than the example at BI Wines & Spirits a few days earlier. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Bright ruby-red. Cassis, blueberry, flowers and clove on the precise, vibrant nose. Then tight and imploded on the palate, with an almost minty, peppery austerity to the black and blue fruit flavors; hardly your typical 2010! This very pure, spicy Saint-Emilion has the structure of a cabernet, and its youthfully forbidding tannins call for at least eight years of patience. It will merit an even higher score if it blossoms in the bottle.