Here is one of the first en primeur releases to make me sit up, take note and get genuinely excited; Château Figeac, which has been riding high in recent vintages, has released this morning at £756 per 6 bottle case in bond.
I am pleased to see Figeac release at a favourable price; its release price is down 31% on last year even though production was down 30%.
Recent vintage release pricing :
2019 £756 per 6 in bond
2018 £1,086 per 6 in bond
2017 £738 per 6 in bond
2016 £930 per 6 in bond
I recently tasted the 2019 from a sample sent to me at home and was very impressed, my note is as follows:
2019 Château Figeac, 1er Grand Cru Classé (B), St.Emilion
Deep in hue, with a gently scented deep berry fruit. This 2019 has a welcome brightness to its fruit, with the Cabernets leading the way – complex forest fruit with hints of subtle spice and those unmistakable graphite nuances typical of Figeac. This is a precise Figeac with a compact, deep fruit showing a fine juicy ripeness, and importantly a very impressive balance courtesy of that bright acidity. Long and persistent, this is undoubtedly a very classy wine in the making. Of all recent vintages it reminds me more of the 2016 than any other. Drink 2030 to 2050+ (SL)
And I include Lisa Perotti-Brown’s note below from The Wine Advocate:
98-100 points. Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
The 2019 Figeac is composed of 30% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Cabernet Franc, harvested from the 13th of September to the 7th of October. The alcohol this year is 14.1% and the pH is 3.7. Steal-your-heart scents of mulberries, black raspberries, Black Forest cake and cassis prance ever so gracefully out of the glass, followed by nuances of plum preserves, red roses, cinnamon toast and clove oil plus just a waft of lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shimmers with electric energy, framed by a solid backbone of wonderfully ripe, grainy Cabernet-led tannins and bold freshness, finishing with fantastic persistence and with tons of emerging earth and floral layers. This is a simply stunning, seemingly effortless, beautifully harmonious expression of the vineyard and the vintage - bravo!
Just as we had been disappointed by recent releases this year, Figeac makes a strong statement in a fine vintage. Perhaps there is hope for releases yet to come?
Please let us know of your interest as soon as possible.
All the best,
Simon