1971 Figeac

The 1971 Figeac is blessed with a fabulous and quite "fleshy" bouquet that is more Merlot-driven than other vintages from this era. The word I use often with this Saint Émilion is "controlled opulence", with hints of morels and dried blood emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied and almost feral, yet never relinquishes its harmony. Quite firm tannins, offering vivid red fruit commingling with fungi and black truffle, this is a quintessential Right Bank 1971. I would drink bottles over the next decade. Tasted at a private lunch in Hong Kong.

One of the great Bordeaux 1971s, along with Trotanoy, Petrus and Palmer, this Figeac won praise from many critics at Thierry Manoncourt's 90th birthday lunch at Taillevent—most effusively from the person sitting next to me, one Michael Broadbent. The 1971 Figeac has a similar hue to the 1975, but the similarities stop there. It is blessed with a fabulous, fleshy nose, much more Merlot inspired with a sense of “controlled opulence.” A touch of wild mushroom, freshly cut grass and dried blood just in the background. The palate is full-bodied with a wild sense of abandon, very well balanced with great cohesion and harmony. Bold, slightly chewy tannins and great length, this encapsulates everything one would hope a mature 1971 Right Bank could be...and more. Sublime. Tasted December 2007.

In magnum. Very intense colour with a broad brick rim. Sweet and rich and maybe slightly obviously chaptalised, but there is lots of pleasure. Very fresh and brisk. Now at its apogee; the acid is just starting to push in. A bit animal. Sweet and very, very slightly jammy. Very long, but ageing fast. (JR)