Caractéristiques
- Pays:
- France
- Région:
- Bordeaux
- Appellation précise:
- Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
- Millésime:
- 2018
- Couleur:
- Rouge
- Type de vin:
- Sec
- Format:
- Bouteille de 75cl
- Cépage(s):
- 37% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon et 30% Cabernet Franc
- Terroir:
- Calcaire, argilo-limoneux, sableux avec graves günziennes
- Vendanges:
- Manuelles
- Rendements:
- 39 hl/ha
- Vinification:
- Plus douce que les années passées, utilisation réduite de SO2, températures de vinification plus basses
- Elevage:
- En fûts neufs à 100%
- Degré:
- 14,5%
- Particularité:
- 1er Grand Cru Classé B de Saint-Emilion
Dégustation et Garde
- Boire à partir de :
- 2028
- Apogée :
- 2038-2058
- Boire avant :
- Difficile à dire...
- Conseil de service :
- Ouvrir à l'avance
- Servir à :
- 17-18°C
Description
Figeac est un Premier Grand Cru Classé B limitrophe au terroir de Cheval Blanc. La superficie de ce terroir d’exception s’étale sur plus de 40 hectares de vignes plantées. Beaucoup de graves superficielles posées sur des argilo-calcaires propices à l’expression du Cabernet Franc et Sauvignon présents dans cet assemblage à hauteur de 60%. L’élevage se déroule dans des barriques de bois neuf renouvelées à 100%.
Pour une fois à Bordeaux, on peut dire que 2018 n’est pas le millésime du siècle. Affirmer que c’est une mauvaise année serait une hérésie, soyons plus prudent et mettons en relief “une qualité hétérogène selon les Châteaux et les terroirs”. 2018 a montré une climatologie difficile : beaucoup de pluie + un été caniculaire = pression importante de mildiou. Le Carré des Vins a grandement dégusté ce 2018 et a retenu quelques propriétés qui ont magnifié ce “millésime de vigneron”.
Rarement Figeac ne déçoit, 2018 confirme la règle. Il révèle toujours un supplément d’âme, une race unique révélée avec raffinement, intensité et sincérité. Le premier nez évoque la réglisse, les fruits rouges relevés d’épices et une touche mentholée qui rafraîchit l’ensemble dans une harmonie parfaite. En bouche, c’est le caractère minéral qui le différencie des autres Saint-Émilion. Cette ligne conductrice apporte beaucoup d’allonge au cru s’étirant vers des tanins d’un grand raffinement. Et que dire de la longueur…
Suggestion gourmande
Bécasse à la ficelle, crème de morille au foie gras sur sa brioche au beurre.
Avis des Experts
James Suckling
"A powerful, structured Figeac, offering loads of blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, walnut and mushroom with some tobacco. It’s full-bodied with layered, chewy tannins that are polished and beautiful. So impressive and solid. Better than the great 2010? Time will tell. Goes on for a long time. Try after 2026."
The Wine Advocate
"The 2018 Figeac is composed of 37% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc, with a 3.7 pH and 14% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple in color, it soars out of the glass with opening notes of freshly crushed red and black cherries, mulberries and ripe, juicy plums, followed by hints of violets, damp soil, cedar chest, crushed rocks and pencil shavings. The medium-bodied, elegantly styled palate features bags of freshness and exquisitely ripe, beautifully poised tannins to support the bright, energetic black and red fruit layers, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note."
Jeb Dunnuck
"Reminiscent of the 2016 with its incredible purity and elegance, the 2018 Château Figeac offers a terrific perfume of crème de cassis, redcurrants, dried earth, tobacco, lead pencil, spring flowers, and exotic spice-driven nuances. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it's flawlessly balanced, has silky, polished tannins, and a stunning sense of purity. It doesn't have the sexiness of the 2015, but it's very much in the style of the 2018 vintage with its pure, elegant, haut couture-like style. And it doesn't show a hint of its 100% new oak élevage. Give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 20-30 years. It's not the biggest or richest Saint- Emilion, yet the balance, finesse, and elegance are something to behold. I think it's going to check in behind the 2015 (and maybe the 2019) when all is said and done, but it's unquestionably one of the greatest Figeac in the past 20-30 years."
Decanter
"Back to a more traditional blend after last year's frost impact, Figeac has done a wonderful job of harnessing the opulence of the vintage while maintaining freshness. This is extremely focussed and precise, with a silky texture and inky depths, developing complexity as the flavours unfurl. These are big tannins but they steal up on you, doing that subtle creep that's such a marker of the vintage. Powerful, utterly gorgeous and clearly a wine that will age well, this is equal to the estate's excellent 2016."
Wine Enthusiast
"With its rich swathe of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has density and immense structure balanced by stunning black fruits that give impressive promise. This powerful wine is probably the greatest ever produced from this estate. Drink from 2027."
Vinous
"The 2018 Figeac is simply magnificent. A regal, soaring wine with tremendous vertical lift and nuance, the 2018 is marvelously complete from the very first taste. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. Medium in body and refined, the 2018 is vibrant, with fine tannins and, frankly, quite a bit more freshness than I expected to see given the very dry, sunny summer. Rose petal, mint, lavender and spice add nuance to a core of red/purplish fruit. Harvest started on September 17 and finished on October 12. Yields were 39 hectoliters per hectare, just shy of the historical average of 42/32. While mildew pressure was an issue, it was the dry October winds and their dehydrating effect on the last Cabernets that impacted yields most. Like so many of his colleagues, Technical Director Frederic Faye and his team opted for gentler vinifications with no SO2 at crush, lower temperatures in fermentation and smaller pumpovers. The 2018 Figeac is brilliant. That's all there is to it. The blend is 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times."
Un 1er B pour l’institutionnel, un 1er A pour les connaisseurs !