2016 Château Figeac

The 2016 Figeac is one of the finest vintages in recent years. This is perhaps what really put it on the map and ultimately led to its promotion in the Saint-Émilion classification. It has a wonderful, life-affirming bouquet with ebullient red fruit tones laden with mineralité. This bottle is perhaps slightly more floral than previous ones. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins that frame the black and blueberry fruit notes infused with touches of pencil shavings and cedar. The velvety texture is utterly seductive. I once posited that this is the best Figeac ever made. Given the recent run of form, it has strong competition, but it is certainly up there. Tasted at Café Saigon in Saint-Émilion. 

- Neal Martin (01/2025)

Another brilliant wine from the genius of Frédéric Faye, the 2016 Château Figeac checks in as 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that spent 19 months in new French oak. Roughly 75% of the production made it into the grand vin. This deeply colored beauty is a legendary wine in the making and offers ultra-pure aromas and flavors of crème de cassis, smoke tobacco, dried herbs, chocolate, truffle, and graphite. Showing more violets notes with time in the glass, it builds incrementally on the palate, with flawless balance as well as incredible elegance, no hard edges, and a finish that won't quit. Readers will have a blast comparing the 2016 and 2015 vintages over the coming 3-4 decades and this estate is firing on all cylinders. This will most likely merit a triple-digit rating in 7-8 years and keep for 4 decades or more. (02/2019)

2016 Figeac has a gorgeous nose, creamy and sweet with notes of cookies, strawberries and perfectly mature fruit. In the taste there are Asian spices and crunchy hints of sweet tobacco and an underlaying structure of soft and forthcoming tannins. This is a very elegant wine, very well composed and seemingly with everything in the right place. It is one of the best and most convincing young vintages I have tasted of Figeac. You can approach it now but this wine should easily last 30+ years and maybe even merit a higher score.

- Ivar Bjurner (09/2025)

The 2016 Figeac is comprised of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose is a little broody and reticent at this very youthful stage, slowly unfolding to reveal profound plum preserves, crème de cassis, black raspberries and star anise with hints of moss-covered bark, truffles and tilled loam plus a waft of red currants and raspberry leaves sparks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is practically quivering with energy, offering glimpses at tightly wound black fruit and mineral/ferrous layers, framed by very firm, ripe tannins and wonderful tension, finishing long with the spices coming through. This will need a good 7-8 years to come round and then should cellar for 40+ years. Very serious, beautifully poised and sophisticated personality this vintage. 

- Lisa Perrotti-Brown (11/2018)