1996 Château Figeac
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Tasting notes
The 1996 Figeac comes from a very difficult period for the estate and from a vintage that never favoured the Right Bank. Still, in the context of Figeac in the Fifties or now, this is a disappointment, despite Thierry Manoncourt de-selected 50% of the crop. Rather green and mealy on the nose, the aromatics just don't feel knitted together. The palate is one-dimensional, unusual for Figeac, and very conservative. The greenness around the edges implies that some of the Cabernets just did not reach phenolic ripeness. There would be better to come. Tasted from a bottle at La Trompette in London.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Aromatic, yet firm and angular on the palate, the 1996 Château Figeac has to be seen as a disappointment in the vintage. A mature color is followed by attractive aromatics, a medium-bodied palate profile, edgy tannins, and a straightforward, linear style on the palate. It's certainly a good wine, but it's not getting any better.
Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property from magnum, the 1996 Figeac has always been one of those "could have been wines." I agree with Robert Parker in that a difficult Right Bank vintage should have played into their hands given the Cabernet plantings. Certainly an effort was made by the late Thierry Manoncourt to counter the rain and 50% of the crop de-selected from the Grand Vin when picked between 30 September and 10 October. However, the bottom line is that this 1996 pales against other vintages. It is mature in color with some bricking on the rim. The nose is relatively simple with brown spice and a light marine influence. Medium-bodied with light tannin, it feels monochromatic, very linear and stern, without the fruit or the complexity to really see it through. Drink sooner rather than later. Tasted June 2015.
Very rainy growing season. 50% of grapes selected. Magnum. Solid, masculine nose. Looks much older than the 1998 magnum just tasted! Mid ruby. Strong fibre of minerality. Relatively light weight. Marked acidity and very cool. Some might call this skinny but it opened out in the glass and became sweeter. (JR)
About the producer
Sitting on the border with Pomerol, Ch. Figeac is a distinguished Saint-Emilion estate that produces some of the region's most sought-after wines. As of 2022, it is officially classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé A, one of the appellation's top estates along with Ch. Pavie.