Figeac St-Emilion 2012

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. Drink: 2018-2038. (11/30/17)"

94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "Whatever eventually happens at Château Figeac, at least we have the stunning and utterly classic 2012 to latch onto for our cellars! This is a superb example of the vintage that fully demonstrates that the vintage was every bit as fine in St. Émilion as it was in Pomerol, and those who missed in the former commune did so due to their own methodology, rather than any inherent limitations in the vintage. The 2012 Figeac is comprised of a blend of forty percent each merlot and cabernet sauvignon (those who would rip out the cabernet sauvignon here are simply out of their minds- and there are dozens of folks in Bordeaux that would immediately do so if they had control of this great estate- as this is one of the defining elements of Figeac that sets it apart and above from its neighbors!) and twenty percent cabernet franc. As has been the case since the 1970 vintage, the wine was raised in one hundred percent new wood. The bouquet is deep, complex, pure and utterly classic, jumping from the glass in a refined mix of black cherries, dark berries, Cuban cigars, a lovely base of gravelly soil tones, a touch of violet and a very well done base of new wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and beautifully structured, with a rock solid core, good acidity, refined, suave tannins (predominantly from the cabernet sauvignon one would expect) and excellent length and grip on the focused and superb finish. If this is the swan song for classic Figeac, it is one hell of a wine to go out with! 2022-2055. (Mar/Apr 2013)"

94 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Great aromatics on display here and this is rich and powerful with lovely black spice complexity. The mid-palate is chock full of gourmet edges, with raspberry coulis and mellow blackberry fruits. This wine can be drunk now but will also age. It's starting to get into its stride at this point. Harvest technically lasted from 20 September to 13 October but took place almost entirely in October to benefit from the warm and dry Indian summer that followed a more challenging start to the growing season. The estate used 100% new oak barrels. Drinking Window: 2019-2038. (Nov 2019)"

92-94 points Wine Enthusiast: "This wine has weight and tannins that offer good structure, but it's the ripe, rich fruit that dominates. It's powerful and complex, and likely to age well. (Apr 2013)"

93 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 Figeac put in a marvelous showing under strict blind conditions and it has clearly blossomed in bottle. It has an immediately engaging bouquet with vivid blackberry and raspberry fruit, wonderful mineralité and fine delineation. This is very composed, with a touch of graphite that almost takes you towards Pauillac rather than Saint Emilion. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well-judged acidity, harmonious and lively with commendable precision towards the finish. This is a sophisticated and well-crafted Figeac that appears to be on an upward trajectory. Tasted January 2016. Drink: 2022-2045. (Aug 2016)"

93 points/'Top 100 Wines of 2015,' 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. (3/31/15)"

93 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(). Far more open than the 2011, with generous blackberry puree and peony floral notes. A little less effortless finesse and balance than years like 2005 or 2010, but this has juice and character, and is a highly successful Figeac. As it opens, you see that the tannins retain some austerity and resistance in them at this point. First year where the blend begins to change, become more reactive to the indiividual vintage - and first year where Frederic Faye took over as director. Michel Rolland arrived as consultant in March 2013, so part of the blending team (and there was also an optical sorting machine for the first time). 100% new oak for ageing, 40hl/h yield, harvest September 20 to October 13. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2022-2040. (3/7/22)"

93 points Antonio Galloni (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. Drink: 2020-2037. (Jan 2016)"

93 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The 2012 Figeac displays plenty of classic Figeac character on the nose, as intriguing and distinctive as ever. I find layers of cigar box, menthol and tar here, not to mention several handfuls of freshly pulled garden mint. This leafy aromatic complexity precedes a palate which feels firm and structural, with a wrapping of degraded blackcurrant, blackberry and damson fruits, all spiced with a twist of black pepper. Firm and peppery, with a long finish, where I find a little grip of tannin still simmering, it seems to me that this is still very much on the way up. You can drink or hold here, but I would lean towards the latter. The alcohol is 13.5% on the label. (Mar 2022)"

93 points James Suckling: "Deep, savory nose with plenty of blackberry fruit, plus notes of bitter chocolate and roasted meat. At once ripe and generous, but also lively and pleasantly dry, thanks to the moderate amount of fine tannin, this has more elegance and complexity at the finish than many wines of the vintage. Drink or hold. Château Quintus vertical tasting. (6/14/22)"