2009 Château Figeac

98 POINTS

James Suckling - Wine Spectator

Really fabulous on the nose, with sweet milk chocolate, flowers, currant and plum. Full-bodied, with incredible length. The tannins are so silky, but they are warm and cuddly. You just want to hug it. Powerful but so attractive. The blend is one third each of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

97 POINTS

Tim Atkin

13.5% alcohol. Equal parts M, CF and CS The high percentage of Cabernet is the key to the success of Figeac in 2009. Unlike some badly over-blown wines in St Emilion, this is poised and beautifully balanced, with the perfume of the Cabernet Franc complementing the structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon and the plush fruit of the Merlot. The wine has a delightful rigour about it. One to cellar for 15+ years.

97 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

This is nudging its evolution a little quicker than the 2010. The fruit is beginning to soften, not to tertiary aspects yet, but there are hints of black truffles and woodsmoke. For me the 2010 is the clear winner of the two in terms of longevity, but this is still an extremely accomplished wine that should be celebrated. It has excellent freshness for such a warm year, showing the benefit of its Cabernets, and yet there is no austerity on display - rather it is full of beautifully seductive and richly spiced flavours. Wonderful.

96 POINTS

James Suckling

Savory, sappy, smoked oak and truffles highlight the ripe fruit. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a rich, savory finish. Still needs time to come together. Try after 2021.

96 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

Distinctive, with atypical (for St.-Emilion) force and drive to the black currant, roasted cedar and maduro tobacco flavors, which are supported by a dense, loam-tinged structure. Terrific roasted espresso, ganache and fig paste notes wait in reserve. Very muscular, but with the cut for balance. Best from 2017 through 2035. –JM

95 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff Magazine

Zart kräuterwürzig unterlegtes dunkles Beerenkonfit, zart nach Dörrobst, rauchige Mineralik. Saftige Kirschenfrucht, gut integrierte, tragende Tannine, extraktsüßer Kern, reife Zwetschkenfrucht im Abgang, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial.

95 POINTS

Neal Martin - Wine Advocate

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. This is probably one of those most controversial scores. After a topsy-turvy showing in barrel followed by an enervated display just after bottling, under single blind conditions this bottle verifies one of my showings in barrel. There is some lovely Cabernet Franc on the nose here: bay leaf and hints of burnt toast infusing the ripe black fruits. This has real character and charm. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins. This is nicely balanced: fresh and very composed on the finish with savoury hints beginning to emerge. Classy. Could this be a wine that you have to treat on a bottle-by-bottle basis? Tasted January 2013.

René Gabriel - WeinWisser

Tiefes Purpur. Warmes, malziges Bouquet, Edelhölzer, Zedern, Pflaumen, völlig harmonisch mit einer reifen Cabernet-Note unterlegt. Am Gaumen ein Weintraum, Malz, Hustenbonbons, seidige Tannine, zarte, cremige Fülle, sehr sublim bis zum langen, gebündelten Finale. Wer sich darüber aufregt, dass alle Premiers so teuer sind, der kauft sich am besten hiervon ein paar Flaschen «en primeur» – und erhält bei der Auslieferung in zwei Jahren einen der allerbesten Figeacs. 2019-2045 19/20