2012 Figeac

95 POINTS

Jeb Dunnuck

A step up over the 2014, the 2012 Château Figeac is a big, opulent, authoritative Figeac loaded with ripe black fruits (blackberries, currants), smoked earth, roasted herbs, and truffle aromas and flavors. Rich, powerful, concentrated, and tannic, it’s a blockbuster that has 2+ decades of prime drinking ahead of it. The 2012s can still be found in the market and are smart buys.

94 POINTS

Tim Atkin

Recently appointed consultant, Michel Rolland, has vowed to help elevate Figeac to the same level as Saint Emilion’s Premiers Grands Crus Classés (A). If so, he has less work to do than he might imagine, as this is a very impressive Saint Emilion, boasting deep colour, plush fruit, some Cabernet Sauvignon freshness and backbone, fine tannins and appealing minerality and palate length. Drink: 2020-30

94 POINTS

James Suckling

Beautiful aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries with cacao and chocolate notes. Full body, lovely acidity, soft and juicy tannins and a long, fruity finish. Figeac is back in style. Needs two or three years to soften. Best after 2018.

93 POINTS

Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

From a blend of blend of 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a different style for Figeac. Much of the credit goes to the bringing in Michel Rolland and Valmy Nicolas from Chateau La Conseillante in Pomerol. This is the first vintage where Michel Rolland was involved in the blending. Notes of truffle, earth, coffee bean, licorice and spicy berry notes opened to a silky, round, supple textured, elegant wine, filled with ripe, sweet, plums and black raspberries. 92-94 Pts

93 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

2012 had mixed results across the region, slightly favouring the right bank over the left. This is an attractive wine with precise flavours, although not huge depth compared to the best vintages of Figeac. The precision pays off, however, and its slight austerity opens up well in the glass to reveal floral aromatics of violet and rose, and its soft liquorice, autumnal fruits and graphite notes are highly appealing. 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc.

93 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

A beguiling tobacco leaf note weaves up and away from the core of steeped plum and mulled currant fruit, while a sleek iron accent forms the spine and a loamy element creates the backdrop. Shows some pleasant latent grip while the currant detail echoes. Best from 2018 through 2027. 8,330 cases made. –JM

93 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2012 Figeac is super-expressive. Dense and fleshy in the glass - yet with gorgeous aromatic lift - the 2012 is impeccable in its overall balance. Dark red plum, cherry pit, cloves, leather, sage and licorice are all laced into the inviting finish. Within the context of the year, the Figeac has a fair amount of structure, so it is best cellared for at least a few years. There is a lot to like here. Michel Rolland blended the 2012 and took over the consulting at Figeac in full beginning with the 2013 harvest.

91 POINTS

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

This is a very strong effort from this great terroir. They finally seem to be making stricter selections and picking slightly riper fruit, thereby avoiding the vegetal underripe tones of the past as well as dilution from a lack of any selection. The 2012 Figeac (performing much better from bottle) has a dense ruby/purple color and a beautiful nose of graphite, blackcurrants, and spice box, followed by a medium-bodied, elegant yet still concentrated and authoritative style of wine. This is a beauty, and the great terroir that has existed for centuries comes through beautifully. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 20 years. (91+)