Chateau Figeac, Petit-Figeac, St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France, 2020

Overview of the Wine
Figeac is a very ancient property. In the 2nd century, the Figeacus family gave its name to the estate. Traces of this Gallo-Roman villa still exist today. In the 15th century, FIGEAC was one of five noble houses in Saint-Emilion and passed from the Lescours family, who at that time also owned Ausone, into the hands of the Cazes family, who transmitted it through marriage to the Carles in the 17th century. After the Manoncourt family acquired the property in 1892, FIGEAC was mainly managed by agricultural engineers. However, in 1943, the year in which Thierry Manoncourt made his first vintage, a period of resurgencebegan for Figeac. Thierry Manoncourt realised in that year the huge potential of FIGEAC’s terroir and urged his mother, a Parisian, to hold on to the estate. In 1955 CHATEAU-FIGEAC became a First Great Classified Growth. Today, Madame Manoncourt and her daughters are ably supported by highly skilled wine-growing teams and are as eager as ever to guarantee the long-term continuity of FIGEAC.

Figeac is the largest estate of Saint-Emilion, covering 54 hectares (133 acres). Besides its 40 hectares (99 acres) of vines, a variety of landscapes combine to form a balance in nature, today known as biodiversity. Figeac has large areas of space which add to the majesty of the place and allow the flora and fauna to flourish. Figeac has an outstanding terroir consisting of three gravelly rises. In keeping with the nature of this soil, Figeac is the Right Bank estate with the highest percentage of Cabernet. This atypical combination accounts for wines that are elegant, long-lived and extremely well-reputed.

Winemaker
Michel Rolland

Grape / Blend
71% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Bordeaux, France

Tasting Notes
The greatness of this vintage is embodied by the amazing harmony between the round and enveloping Merlot, the fresh and elegant Cabernet Franc, and the lace-textured, tender Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine delivers the perfect chord from its famous three grape varieties. The result of a specific selection when the blends are decided, Petit-Figeac is made with all the skill of the Chateau Figeac team. Lighter and less full-bodied than its senior, with beautiful length on the palate, a highly refined texture, and a great capacity to seduce, it shows its appeal earlier. Petit-Figeac offers an ideal introduction to the spirit of the estate.

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
I loved the 2020 Petit-Figeac, the second wine from Château Figeac. Based on 71% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 14-15 months in 40% new oak, it offers up a plump, floral, medium to full-bodied style displaying the vintage's purity and freshness. Offering plenty of ripe red and black fruits, as well as leafy herbs and flowers, this forward, sexy, seamless 2020 is perfect for drinking over the coming 10-12 years or more.

94 Points - James Suckling
So perfumed with cherry, hazelnut and chocolate aromas that follow through to a medium body, with very fine tannins and a fresh and vibrant finish. Crisp and crunchy. Second wine of Figeac. Orange peel and graphite at the end. A blend of 71% merlot, 19% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold.

93 Points - Wine Independent
A blend of 71% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 Petit-Figeac is deep garnet-purple in color. It sashays out with glamorous notes of crushed black and red cherries, mulberries, and rose petals, followed by hints of cinnamon toast, fragrant soil, and sandalwood. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with youthful red and black berry layers, complemented by minerally sparks and floral nuances, framed by fine-grained tannins, and finishing with a cheery lift. It is very classic and should age well!

Product size: 750ml