A beautiful wine that shines in the vintage, the 2008 Figeac offers a classic Figeac nose of tobacco, menthol, blackcurrants, and spice. This deep, rich, seamless 2008 has a great mid-palate, no hard edges, beautiful tannin, and a great finish.

I'm a huge fan of this slightly old school vintage, with its fennel and aniseed nose, along with concentrated raspberry and cranberry fruits. Clear smoke notes as it unravels, and some firm tannins that retain a touch of austerity even at 13 years old. A late harvest year after a cool summer and sunshine-filled September, running from October 1 to 20, giving a yield of 29hl/h yield. 100% new oak for ageing.

The 99 acres of vines at Figeac, near the Pomerol border, are made up of 35 percent cabernet sauvignon, 35 percent franc and 30 percent merlot. The significant proportion of cabernet gives the wine a muscularity that sets it apart from many St-Emilions. Even so, this 2010 is generous and perfumed with bright red fruit, cossetted by black-velvet tannins. There’s sweetness to those tannins, along with a savory tobacco note. This is balanced for years of evolution in bottle.

Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. The Figeac 2008 has very good lift on the nose, very pure although a little oaky with cedar and mocha notes inflecting the dark fruit profile. The palate has a tannic entry and seems a little grainy in texture. It coalesces nicely in the glass and is imbued with a great sense of tension, whilst the finish is crisp and vary natural. It just lacks the persistency of its peers.