Figeac 2009 (1.5L)

96 Points, Yohan Castaing, Decanter: "This is quite a luscious full-bodied Figeac, brimming with black cherry, cassis, raspberry, and other black fruits. Aeration releases an array of spices that adds to its seductive style, with a peppery top note coming from Cabernet Franc. Magnificent depth on the palate with underlying energy and tension. What is remarkable is how subtle and fresh the wine remains despite its strength of character." 09/21

97 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "Even in this super-ripe vintage Figeac retains its usual red bell pepper aroma (from the cabernet sauvignon grape) and that adds a light touch to the opulent fruit cake and spice character. The full fine tannins beautifully support the rich palate and make the finish very long and plush. A great 2009! Drink or hold." 02/19

94 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2009 Figeac is a gorgeous wine that is really coming into its own. It has quite a precocious bouquet with wild strawberry, blood orange, fig jam, marmalade and gravelly aromas courtesy of the Cabernets. There is real depth on what is quite lush aromatics. The palate is beautifully balanced, very pure with a velvet texture, plenty of ripe red fruit, white pepper, clove, blood orange and kirsch notes, building wonderful towards a powerful yet controlled finish. This is drinking supremely well now, but it will cruise at high altitude for a number of years. Tasted at the château." 10/21

98 Points, Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux: "Right up there with the best of the Right Bank, this opens with a punnet of blackberry and creamy damson fruits, all in balance, finessed but confident and juicy, cocoa bean, espresso, cumin and black pepper spice, hard to fault and extremely easy to recommend. Harvest September 22 to October 19, 40hl/h yield, 100% new oak. As an aside, this was leading up to the 2012 classification, and wines like this explain why they were so confident that they were going to get the nod to Premier Grand Cru Classé A (in the end they had to wait 10 more years)." 09/24

94 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The medium garnet colored 2009 Figeac features a very pretty perfume of rose hip tea, lilacs and cinnamon stick over a core of red and black currant preserves plus hints of dried herbs and sweaty saddles. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers bags of savory fruit layers with plenty of floral sparks, framed by rounded tannins, finishing on a earthy note." 03/19

95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com: "The 2009 Château Figeac is the normal blend of close to equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a beautiful wine that has classic Figeac style, yet is more reserved and backward than most in the vintage. Forest floor, truffle, blackcurrants, cigar ash and green tobacco notes all emerge from this full-bodied, ripe, yet pure, elegant Saint-Emilion that has good acidity and plenty of length. The tannins are ripe, yet firm, it’s nicely balanced, and it blossoms with time in the glass. Nevertheless, it needs another 4-5 years of cellaring to hit prime time, and it should keep for 2-3 decades." 02/18