Figeac 2011

robert_parker87

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This lighter-bodied St.-Emilion exhibits an attractive dark plum/ruby color, no herbaceousness and an interesting bouquet of forest floor, black cherries and spice. A finesse-styled 2011 with good purity and no defects except the vintage’s lack of flesh, concentration and depth. Nevertheless, this is a good effort that should drink well in 2-3 years and last for 10-12.

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

An equal blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon picked from 6th September until the 27th September. It offers the estate’s typical Left Bank, leafy bouquet with touches of pencil lead inflecting the broody dark fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, rigid tannins on the entry. It is a little disjointed but the Cabernet appears to be ripe although the finish is a little austere and needs to develop more expressive Merlot. Maybe it will improve with bottle age? Tasted April 2012.

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted in Bordeaux from an ex-château bottle, the 2011 Figeac has a healthy deep garnet hue. The nose is quite vibrant and well defined with blackberry, briary and a touch of graphite, though not as much as I remember showing out of barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, crisp in the mouth with a fine line of acidity. This actually surpasses my expectations. It has a natural sensibility, offering attractive blackberry and cranberry fruit, a sprig of mint, with a breezy, unpretentious finish that suits this down to the ground. You could almost broach this now, unusual for Figeac,, but suffice to say it will offer a decade's worth of drinking pleasure, possibly more. Tasted July 2016.

vinous90

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

Medium ruby. Aromas of blueberry, mint and white pepper are lifted by a bright floral element. Juicy and intense, with the lively dark fruit and floral flavors currently showing more perfume than flesh. The tannins here are very suave for the year. Finishes clean and long, with lovely repeating floral nuances.

vinous92

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

Deep ruby. Ripe, aromatic nose of dark berries, licorice and flowers, complicated by a mineral nuance. Spice and pepper notes complement cassis and minerals on the palate, with a whiff of blood orange adding lift. This youthfully tight wine finishes long and firm but not dry.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2011 Figeac was quite sullen and unexpressive in its youth and I dished out some parsimonious score. Yet, two recent bottles have prompted me to raise my opinion on this vintage. It has an intense bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, rose petal and a touch of marmalade. These are aromas with ambition! The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins, superb body, very focused and serious in style. This is a 2011 with plans on repaying those with the nous to cellar it for a few years. Very classy, this is well made. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

I proffered a bottle of 2011 Figeac and feared it would be too young, but it was just on the right side of drinkability. Featuring intense black fruit on the nose, with black truffle and pencil lead notes and hints of incense, this Saint-Émilion blossoms in the glass. The palate is beautifully defined with impressive concentration, fine acidity and perhaps just a light patina of new oak on the finish that needs a couple more years to fully assimilate. Should I have waited longer to bring this bottle? Maybe, but I did not feel remotely guilty.

vinous89

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2011 Figeac has a detailed, focused bouquet with red berry fruit, undergrowth and a touch of pressed violet. Perhaps now accustomed to the Figeac wines post-2013, it comes across a little simplistic and rough hewn. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, notes of blackberry, smoke and a touch of graphite, midways between Left and Right Bank in style. What is does not have is the depth, harmony and sophistication of the most recent vintages under Frederic Faye, a mark of how far this property has come in a short space of time. Tasted at the annual CVBG tasting.