Figeac St-Emilion 2019

100 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle watery rim. Nuances of oak, dark forest fruit, a hint of cassis and liquorice, fine tobacco nuances, spices, orange zest, still a little reserved. Complex, cherries, well-integrated tannins, mineral and lasting, elegant style with a fine fruity finish, salty on the aftertaste, delicate liquorice in the finish, immensely harmonious, absolute ageing potential, however, patience is required. Leave to mature. (1/1/22)"

100 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "Composed of 36% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot, the 2019 Figeac is deep garnet-purple colored. It needs considerable swirling to coax out its alluring perfume of redcurrant jelly, juicy blackcurrants, and blackberries, with underlying suggestions of candied violets, chocolate box, fragrant earth, and lavender plus a touch of crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a mind-blowing array of layers with exceptionally ripe, fine-grained tannins and jaw-dropping tension, leading to a fantastically persistent mineral and floral-tinged finish that makes your heart stop. With its energy, structure, and incredible depth, truly, this is a towering triumph. Alcohol 14.1%. Drink: 2027-2067. (5/9/22)"

99 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2019 Figeac is without question one of the wines of the vintage. All the promise it showed as a young barrel sample, is all there in bottle, too. Estate Director Frédéric Faye crafted a towering, statuesque Figeac built on vertical energy and a feeling of vibrancy that never lets up. Deep layers of red/purplish fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and dried flowers are framed by a super-classic expression of structure that keeps things in balance. There is a bit more Cabernet Franc in this year's blend, and that definitely comes through. Readers who can find the 2019 should not hesitate, as it is truly majestic. Drink: 2034-2069. (Feb 2022)"

99 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "The wine is seriously rich with solid tannins. The tannins are softening into a more velvet texture that suits this style of wine well. It is giving a smoky character to the wine as well as richness. This is a great wine, very aromatic and concentrated. Drink from 2027. Alcohol 14%. (Oct 2022)"

99 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide (2023).

98 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The blend here is 36% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, aged in 100% new oak, from five coopers. It was made in Figeac’s temporary cellars, while the new facilities were under construction. A dark, focused and concentrated style on the nose, with dried winter berries, touches of tar and soot intensity, as well as fresh mint nuances, a touch of crushed gravel, slate, dark chocolate and graphite. This is matched by a very dense style on the palate, with a polished grip, dark and introverted, savoury fruits with currants, dried blackberries, cranberries, rose and tarry toast, with a peppery sense of energy to it. The structure is intense, finely composed with very well-knit tannins, enmeshed within the substance of the wine, ripe, like a blanket of heavy velvet, with coffee bean, dark chocolate, and currant fruits. It concludes in a cohesive finish, with a rich grip. This is just divine – a quite magnificent Figeac.. (Dec 2021)"

98 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2019 Figeac has a wonderful nose, beautifully defined with black fruit, loam, black truffle shavings and light graphite scents. Very focused and plenty of vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, intense and almost pixelated towards the vibrant, tensile finish. Effortless and classy, this should evolve gracefully for many years. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Drink: 2026-2060. (Feb 2023)"

98 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Franc). This is a gorgeous Figeac, balanced and finessed and full of promise for the future - and interesting to note that its blend is almost back to the classic third-of-each-variety of the pre-Rolland days. Just love the clarity and the chiselled quality to the fruits, blueberries, bilberries, cassis - all smooth, concentrated, with excellent acidity but high sweetness, and muscular tannins. Clear smoked sandalwood also but not a hint of dryness, and will clearly melt together with another five or six years in bottle. Can't wait to follow this wine as it ages. Cigar smoke and grilled sandalwood on the finish, the poise and precision on display here is just unmissable. Harvest September 13 to October 17, 100% new oak. Drink: 2028-2050. Alcohol 14.5%. (3/7/22)"

98 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2019 Château Figeac checks in as 36% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot, and it's another brilliant wine from Frédéric Faye. This deep purple-hued effort offers a beautiful Pauillac-like bouquet of ripe black cherries, cassis, damp earth, leafy herbs, chocolate, and smoked tobacco. It has classic Figeac herbal, earthy goodness (no doubt due to its high percentage of Cabernet) and is medium to full-bodied on the palate, has perfect tannins and flawless balance, all making for a brilliant Saint-Emilion that brings richness and power paired with finesse and elegance. Give bottles 4-5 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 30+. Drink: 2026-2058. (4/11/22)"

98 points James Suckling: "This is a really beautiful red with crushed-berry, plum, bark, mushroom and earth character. It’s full and creamy-textured with lots of tannins, but they are integrated and polished and flow across the palate. So much depth and intensity, yet there’s underlying grace and class. Try after 2025. (2/20/22)"

98 points La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2019 shines with sincerity, noble tannins and luminous fruit, deeply dense and concentrated. It revolves around the mineral, graphite touch that is the cru's signature. (2023)"

97 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The 2019 Figeac has turned out brilliantly. Wafting from the glass with aromas of blackberries, cassis, warm spices, violets and pencil shavings, framed by a deft touch of nicely integrated new oak, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with terrific depth at the core, powdery structuring tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long, precise finish. Rich but vibrant, this 2019 reflects the new precision that Frédéric Faye has brought to Figeac; but while it's richer and more polished than the wines of yesteryear, the estate's identity hasn't been lost. Drink: 2029-2065. (Apr 2022)"

97 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "A higher amount of Cabernet Franc than usual in the blend, really get the Cabernet impact on the nose and on the attack, could easily say Left Bank with the liquorice root, menthol and leafy character. A rich creaminess comes in through the mid palate, with sappy raspberry fruits alongside salinity and minerality. The exuberance of a warm summer is there but it is well hidden under the precision of the tannic structure overall. An extremely impressive and signature Figeac. Juicy on the finish and oh so careful in its tannic delivery. 100% new oak. A yield of 34hl/ha, higher than 2018. 3.7pH. Drinking Window: 2028-2046. (May 2020)"