2022 Chateau Figeac - St. Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe-B

Decanter.com – 98 pts – GH: *An incredibly impressive wine in 2022 shaping up to be the wine of the vintage not only as it seems to defy the hot and dry conditions in every way but delivers such confidence and charm it makes it hard to resist. Gorgeous aromatic expression on the nose, open and alive, generous scents of bright bramble fruit and floral notes as well as graphite and cedar. Smooth, supple and generous on the palate, tannins are silky and perfectly weighted giving roundness but also structure with a red berry juiciness and saline bite that is so compelling. Vibrant, dynamic, balanced and precise, the energy is outstanding yet there’s still depth, weight and power underneath. There's not a single thing out of place - utterly seductive and totally moreish. A great effort from the estate now proudly displaying their upgrade to St-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A for the first time as of the new classification. 3.7pH. 8% press wine. 82% grand vin production. Harvest 1 - 26 September, the earliest ever. 98-100 points.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – 99 pts – AG: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Reife schwarze Pflaumen, dunkle Kirschen, Nuancen von Cassis und Tabak sind unterlegt, ein Hauch von kandierten Mandarinenzesten, zart nach Edelholz. Saftig, reife Kirschen, Schwarze Ribiseln, elegant, polierte, seine Tannine, finessenreicher Säurebogen, mineralisch-zitronig im Abgang, sehr gute Länge, saliner Nachhall, sicheres Entwicklungspotenzial.* - 01/2023

WeinWisser – 19,5+/20pts – GL, TW: *35 % Merlot, 34 % Cabernet Franc, 31 % Cabernet Sauvignon, pH 3.7, 14 Vol.-%, 34 hl/ha. Dicht verwobenes Bouquet, Wildkirsche, zartes Irisparfüm, dunkler Graphit, ein Hauch Veilchen und Heidelbeergelee. Am sublimen tiefgründigen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, integrierten, gut stützenden Tanninen, balancierter Rasse und engmaschigem Körper. Im konzentrierten, aromatischen, langanhaltenden Finale eine Explosion von Brombeeren, Herzkirsche, dunkler Schokolade und Alpenheidelbeere, erhabene Adstringenz. Für die Bestnote reicht es dieses Mal noch nicht ganz, aber der (neue) 1er Grand Cru Classé "A" ist auf bestem Weg dahin. Die früheste Ernte im Hause Manoncourt, Start am 01. September (bis 26.9.).* – 04/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 18/20pts – JL: *35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. A signature Figeac, the Cabernet coming through on the nose and palate. Floral, cassis and graphite notes. Plenty of energy, the fruit juicy and rich but not excessive. Ripe, abundant tannins behind. Long, persistent finish. Just a hint of oak in the background.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (96-99) pts – AG: *The 2022 Figeac is a magnificent, super-classic Figeac, as odd as that might sound in this freakish vintage. A wine of sublime delicacy and nuance, the 2022 possesses tremendous aromatic presence, finely sculpted fruit and phenomenal persistence. I especially admire the wine's freshness, energy and clean, mineral finish. The 2022 is a towering Figeac, a wine that brilliantly showcases the unique qualities of this site. Figeac is a rare Right Bank estate with gravel and blue clay soils that are not often found here, planted approximately with equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (97-99) pts – NM: *The 2022 Figeac was picked between 1-26 September with the pH of 3.7 and 14% alcohol. This wine combines both Left Bank and Right Bank traits due to its blend (as usual), but this year leans more to the Right Bank despite a slightly lower contribution of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is very well defined, fresh and shows lively black fruit, incense and nuanced Chinese tea aromas. The palate is beautifully balanced with a lightly spiced entry, fine depth and with plenty of concentration counterbalanced by finesse toward the graphite-infused finish. Its saline aftertaste beckons you back for another sip. An appropriate way to start your tenure as a Grand Cru Classé "A".* - 04/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (98-100) pts – JL: *It takes nothing to sense all the intensity, freshness, and depth here. But, more importantly, it is the character. The wine is sensuous, sultry, and lively. The fruits are drenched in cashmere, and velvet that caresses your palate. The levels of depth, richness, opulence, and vibrancy must be felt to be believed. The finish, with its seemingly endless waves of black, blue, and red fruits, with their natural spiciness and purity is off the hook. The seamless finish looks at the 60 second mark, and keeps on going! This is the first vintage for Chateau Figeac as Premier Cru Classe A. With this wine, it is clear they deserve it. The wine blends 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon. 8% Press wine. 14% ABV, 3.7 pH. Picking took place September 1 - September 26. This is the earliest harvest in the history of Figeac. Yields were 34 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2065.* - 05/2023