The pronounced notes of truffles, graphite and spices suggest a wine that has attained its apogee. After aeration, black fruit including ripe plum comes to the fore along with spices as well as a touch of tobacco and meat. The palate is at first surprisingly creamy in the context of the 2011 vintage, but the powerfully tannic framework asserts itself on the long finish. Although very expressive of its terroir, this is such a singularly styled Figeac that it might be a challenge to identify it as such in a blind tasting.

Quite a traditional style. A slew of dried-herb and spice aromas are underlined by wide spectrum of red and black berries. Taut and firm, medium body with a serious tannin structure that’s just about fully resolved. Long, elegant finish with a chalky texture. Drink or hold. Château Quintus vertical tasting. SP.

Made from 35% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot, the 2011 Figeac is deep garnet colored. It offers up alluring scents of blackcurrant pastilles, black raspberries, and boysenberry preserves with suggestions of menthol, tobacco leaf, and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid structure of grainy tannins with oodles of freshness and lots of earthy layers, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2011 Figeac was quite sullen and unexpressive in its youth and I dished out some parsimonious score. Yet, two recent bottles have prompted me to raise my opinion on this vintage. It has an intense bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, rose petal and a touch of marmalade. These are aromas with ambition! The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins, superb body, very focused and serious in style. This is a 2011 with plans on repaying those with the nous to cellar it for a few years. Very classy, this is well made. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting. -- Neal Martin

Majors on tobacco and savoury grilled black fruits. This is a little austere, lacks the generosity of the two preceeding vintages, offers sculpted fruits and tannins, a plentiful dash of black pepper and crushed rocks, touches of graphite, but not really revving up through the palate. Harvest September 6 to 27, 100% new oak for ageing, 38hl/h yield.

The 2011 Château Figeac is drinking nicely, with plenty of cassis, black cherry, and blackberry fruits intermixed with notions of graphite, sappy herbs, and earth. With medium-bodied richness and depth, solid mid-palate concentration, and ripe yet present tannins, it's youthful and drinking nicely, with another 15 years of longevity ahead of it.

Showing much better with bottle age than it did in the barrel, the wine expresses tobacco leaf, flowers, and vibrant, crisp red fruits with a leafy, spicy edge. Medium-bodied, with a lifted, energetic finish, this is now entering its prime-time, drinking window. Drink from 2022-2035.

The plum and black cherry fruit has a floral edge, giving this version an elegant feel overall, while subtle tobacco, singed tea leaf and wood spice notes fill out the lengthy finish. This lovely wine has dropped serious muscle since the barrel tasting and is showing elegance and finesse that belies its age. Best from 2015 through 2025. 8,750 cases made. — JM