Château Figeac 2016 – 1er Grand Cru Classé B

Bordeaux Total René Gabriel:

Kunz Fassprobe 17: (36% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49 hl/ha, 14% vol. Alkohol) Dichtes, elegantes, frisches, komplexes Bouquet, Johannisbeeren, Heidelbeeren, Brombeeren, Minze, Tabak, fein Kräuter, Korinthen. Fein cremiger, dichter, vielschichtiger Gaumen mit kräftiger, süsser, feiner Frucht, viel feinem Tannin, vielfältiger, dichter, frischer Aromatik, eleganter, konzentrierter, fein muskulöser Struktur, sehr langer, voller, duftiger Abgang mit vielen Rückaromen. (19/20). 2017, im November, René Gabriel: Granat-Blutrot mit rubinen Nuancen am Rand aussen. Das Bouquet ist bereits in dieser jungen Phase schon traumhaft. Viel Würze, Zimt, Süssholz, Lebkuchenaromen, dunkles Malz und eine Gemisch- aus Kräuter und Früchtetee, dezent süss im Ansatz. Im Gaumen weist er zwar massive Tannine auf, die sind aber sehr elegant mit dem Fruchtfleisch und der generellen Fülle vermischt. Ein samtener, klassischer Figeac, der das aktuelle Qualitätsmanagement auf höchster Ebene dokumentiert. Hier liegt vielleicht in seiner Genussphase die Maximalnote drin. Trinkreife 2024-2048. Bewertung 19/20. -Bordeaux Total, René Gabriel, André Kunz-

Robert Parker Wine Advocate:

The 2016 Figeac is a blend of 36% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked from 23 September until 20 October at 49 hectoliters per hectare with 13.9% alcohol. The acidity is 3.67 pH, and it matured in 100% new oak (focused on five cooperages). This is a property that opened a new chapter in 2013, when Michel Rolland's services as a master blender have been called upon and engendered far greater harmony between the three grape varieties, now all singing from the same hymn sheet. It has a crisp blackberry nose, a little closed at first, opening nicely in the glass and offering raspberry coulis, pencil box and subtle mint aromas—classic Figeac in many ways. The palate is extraordinarily well balanced with a fine lattice of tannin sculpted to perfection. There is a slight edginess to this Figeac that I adore, the Cabernets very expressive, more so than the 2015, with graphite infusing every pore of the black fruit. This Figeac has an outstanding structure and a saline finish that beckons you back for another sip. The 2015 Figeac was stunning and the 2016 no less. Tasted on four separate occasions, and in the end, only one (banded) score became inevitable. Drink Date 2026-2060. Rating 98-100/100. -Neal Martin-

Vinous:

The 2016 Figeac is simply extraordinary. A wine of pure energy and vitality, the 2016 pulses with a real sense of drive. Lavender, mint, crème de cassis and cedar start to develop in the glass, but what is most remarkable about the 2016 is its total sense of harmony. There is natural tension, a sort of push and pull, between the wine's intense fruit and structural underpinnings that makes the 2016 a marvel to taste and contemplate. It was positively stunning in two separate tastings. Technical Director Frédéric Faye and his team made an epic Figeac in 2016. Drink Date 2026-2066. Rating 98+/100. -Antonio Galloni-

James Suckling:

Incredibly deep and complex nose with a slew of black fruit, plus savory and bitter-chocolate notes woven subtly into the extraordinary tapestry of aromas. Titanic concentration, but it still remains so incredibly fresh and poised. Such a pure finish that goes on and on and on. Drinkable now, but best from 2024. Château Quintus vertical tasting. Rating 99/100. -JamesSuckling.com-

Adrian van Velsen - vvWine.ch & VINUM:

36% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc) Rubinrot und mineralisch geprägt, sehr tiefgründig, rauchige Noten, Schwarzkirschen, Tee, Cassis; am Gaumen knackig, viel Zug, vertikal, dicht, kompakt, die Tannine markieren noch, sind von sehr guter Qualität, würziges, langanhaltendes Finale. Ab sofort ein Hochgenuss, mit ausgezeichneten Reserven, für eine kleine Ewigkeit gebaut. Trinkreife 2023-2055. Bewertung 98/100. -Adrian van Velsen – vvWine.ch & VINUM-