Special 45 Insta-days in bordeaux: Chateau Figeac
- Luma Monteiro
- Nov 5, 2018
- 2 min read
Hello Dear Winos,
Welcome to day 1! here we go!
Let the sommelier tells you the storyChâteau Figeac is one of the leading St. Émilion estates, right bank of Bordeaux, France.
The grand vin is known for its rich nose, silky texture and elegance, and for its aging potential in better vintages.
With its high Cabernet content, has often been described as the most Médoc-like in St-Émilion.
This Chateau was rated as Premier Grand Cru Classé (B) in the 1955 Saint-Émilion Classification.
Preparing the wine
Chateau Figeac is much better with at least 12-15 years of aging. They reach the peak of maturity between 12-40 years after the vintage.
Young vintages can be decanted for 2-3 hours. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume.
Older vintages might need decanting.
VSPIN time (the best wine gadget ever!): young vintages – Speed 3, Spin time 3:00
Older Vintages – Speed 3, Spin time 3:00
Pour it Up, Pour it Up
Chateau Figeac´s current vineyard is, nevertheless, among the largest in Saint-Émilion at 99 acres (40ha).
There are three gravel outcrops, which explains the unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (about 35 percent each) in a typical bottle of Figeac.
Merlot, usually dominant in this region, accounts for the remaining 30 percent.
Long long time ago, portions of the land were purchased by neighboring Pomerol produces like Chateau La Conseillante. One of the largest sections of Figeac was sold to the Ducasse family who used the land for Chateau Cheval Blanc.
Figeac is generally regarded as having markedly improved since World War II under the ownership of Thierry Manoncourt, and has become one of the most sought-after Right Bank Bordeaux reds.
“Thierry Manoncourt was the first Right Bank producer to create a second wine.”
In 1945, Château Figeac was one of the first Bordeaux estates to introduce a second wine, La Grange Neuve de Figeac, named after a particular plot in the estate. Since 2012, however, the second wine has been Petit-Figeac, made from various selections of vines across the wider estate.
The grand vin is aged in 100-percent new oak barrels, while Petit-Figeac is typically aged is for 15 to 18 months in oak barrels, 20 percent of which are new.
Swirling in the glass
Superbly perfumed with aromas of Black cherry, licorice, chocolate, sweet spices.
A great and beautiful wine with velvety tannins.
Vibrant acidity, warm, luxurious, month-coating with freshness from the start to the long finishing.
Pairing
Classic meat dishes: veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game or roast chicken
Roasted, braised and grilled dishes
Rich fish courses like tuna
Mushrooms
Pasta
Understanding in figures
Area under wine
40 hectares
Production
100,000 bottles
Soil
Three gravelly rises
Grape varieties
35 % Cabernet Sauvignon
35 % Cabernet franc
30 % Merlot
Barrel ageing
18 months
New barrels: 100 %
Second wine
Petit-Figeac
Source: Berry Bros & Rudd, The wine cellar insider, Wine-searcher
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