Chateau Figeac - Cellar Notes


	Chateau Figeac
	Appellation Saint Emilion Contrôlée
	Location: a neighbor of Cheval Blanc on the plateau of Saint Emilion. Saint Emilion is a 'right bank' property in the Bordeaux region of Southwestern France.
	Size: 100 acres producing 10,000 cases.
	Classification: Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe.
	Vineyard: 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot. Average age of the vine is 35 years. It's soil is primarily hilly deposits of gravel.
	Vinification: Traditional methods throughout the chai. Fermentation time varies based on the vintage. The cap is submerged in the must. The winery has 10 stainless steel vats and 10 large oak vats. The wine is aged in new oak barrels for 20-22 months before release.
	History: The growing of grapes here dates back to the second century. Once part of a larger estate that included much of the region, Figeac has long been considered one of Saint Emilion's best wines -- for many years even greater than the fabled Ausone. The owners, Thierry Manoncourt and his family spare no efforts to make this popular wine also one of Bordeaux's best.
	Style: Figeac is distinguished for its great rich aromas, rare delicacy and striking elegance combined with an extremely well-developed bouquet.
	Food: A serious wine to be enjoyed with most game or grilled meats.
	THIERRY MANONCOURT 33330 Saint-Emilion Tel +33 5 57 24 72 26 Fax +33 5 57 74 45 74
	Vintages
	Listed below is vintage information from the chateau's web site.

	1997 - This vintage was bottled in July 1999. It is still a little too early to for a considered opinion. However, we already know that this year will be pleasant to drink young due to its well-developed fruit and round tannin.
	1996 - Deep garnet-red colour and fresh floral bouquet with a hint of blackberry. Lots of tannin on the palate, that is just beginning to soften up. Plenty of fruit. Long, delicate and slightly toasty aftertaste with a touch of bitterness. Best kept for several years (2003-2005) in order to reach its peak.
	1995 - Beautiful, deep red colour. The nose is relatively closed-in at present, but it is very dense with ripe, red fruit. This vintage is quite vinous on the palate, with very round, tight tannin. Long, rich, full aftertaste. Already enjoyable to drink, but this wine has a very great ageing potential.
	1994 - Beautiful, deep, garnet-red colour of medium intensity, but slightly better than 1996. There is still oak on the nose, but this is elegant and subtle. Hints of ripe fruit and forest floor on the bouquet. Starts out fairly soft on the palate, although the tannin is still firm. Good length. While this is an ideal vintage for people who love young wines, it will also benefit from ageing.
	1993 - Beautiful garnet-red colour that is just starting to show signs of age. The bouquet has subtle oak and hints of raspberry and black pepper. This 1993 starts out straightforward and vinous on the palate. It is very Cabernet in character with peppery hints. Very pure, with a tremendously elegant aftertaste. Deserves to age until 2002.
	1992 - The colour is not very deep and this vintage is already showing its age. The rim is fairly brick red. The bouquet is quite fresh, with hints of fruit and a certain toastiness. Starts out very soft; attractive and round on the palate. Not very intense, but this wine's beautiful balance means that it can be enjoyed as of now. To drink now without expecting any further improvement
	1991 -Figeac did not make a great wine this year due to the frost on April 21^st. Only 2,000 cases of our second wine, – La Grange Neuve de Figeac – were sold.
	1990 - Deep colour just starting to brown slightly on the rim. Powerful, fruity nose with a hint of perfectly integrated oak and a slight menthol aroma conferring considerable freshness. 1990 Figeac starts off quite powerfully on the palate with a great deal of roundness. It is very tannic and needs time to soften. A strong, rich wine, but one that is also subtle and elegant. Already attractive, but will age beautifully.
	1989 - Deep, youthful colour. Typical Figeac nose, with hints of spice, pepper, resin and cedar. Starts out very straightforward on the palate with round, soft tannin and lots of stuffing. A great wine which can be enjoyed now, but which also has enormous ageing potential.
	1988 - Lovely, deep red colour with the beginnings of brick-coloured highlights. The nose is fairly discrete but extremely complex, with hints of oak, fruit and musk. 1988 Figeac is round and elegant on the palate. Its long and slightly peppery aftertaste finishes with a very pleasant impression of freshness. To drink now or hold for several years.
	1987 - Beautiful light ruby-red colour with a healthy amount of brick-red. Forward bouquet with hints of musk and leather. Starts out soft on the palate, going into light tannin and good balance. Very nice to drink now, and will gain nothing from further ageing.
	1986 - Very pretty brick-red colour of medium intensity. Delicate, lacy nose. Starts out straightforward on the palate, with a lively tannic taste, ending with a very long aftertaste. To drink or to hold
	1985 - Beautiful deep crimson colour just starting to show signs of age. Elegant, classy bouquet with lots of fruit, but also hints of tobacco and spice. 85 Figeac starts out very refreshing on the palate. Altogether very elegant with deliciously soft tannin. Perfect for current drinking
	1984 - Lovely colour with brick-red highlights. Not very dense. Powerful bouquet of paprika and spice. 84 Figeac starts out very soft and pleasant on the palate. Very smooth taste, but lacks density, and the aftertaste is somewhat short. Enjoyable to drink now. Very successful for the vintage
	1983 - Dark garnet-red colour with a complex bouquet of cherry, prune, pear, spice and coffee. Rich tannin, which accounts for the long and very elegant aftertaste. This vintage is not as well-known as the famous 1982, but is nevertheless excellent. Figeac is often considered one of the great successes in 1983, along with Chateau Margaux. To drink or to hold on to
	1982 - Deep red colour with attractive brick-red highlights. Powerful, dense, complex bouquet with aromas that go beyond fruitiness. Very subtle. Starts out quite full and powerful on the palate, going on to show soft tannin and a very long aftertaste. Should be aged longer, but already a pleasure to drink. A very great Figeac
	1981 - Lovely medium-deep colour. A bouquet reminiscent of terroir and forest floor. Slightly less elegant than the 82. Starts off soft on the palate, then becomes more dense, with good roundness and a persistent tannic aftertaste. To drink now.
	1980 - Light colour, almost like a "clairet" Complex, elegant nose. Very good for the vintage.. Very round, charming, subtle and fresh. To drink now, but this wine has changed little in the past few years
	1979 - This wine looks fairly old, but this is hardly surprising after 20 years! Subtle candied fruit aromas. Starts off beautifully soft, going into a round, plush flavour with a deliciously long aftertaste. Ideal for current drinking
	1978 - Crimson colour showing its age. Very forward and complex nose compared to the 79. Starts off very well-defined on the palate and goes on to reveal lots of tannin This wine is taking time to age, and still needs ten more years. Either drink now or wait