2006 - Figeac, Saint-Emilion

Dark ruby in colour, this is a Figeac that captures the 'Left Bank' spirit that you often find in this wine. It majors on Cabernet Sauvinon-led tobacco leaf, cassis and blueberry fruits, with touches of salted caramel on the finish. Good juice on the finish, plenty of structure to the tannins still. 100% new oak for ageing. Harvest September 15 to October 3. 37hl/h yield.

Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property. The 2006 Figeac is a success for what was a modest Right Bank vintage. The Cabernet Sauvignon is most expressive on the nose at the moment, reserved but nicely defined with pencil lead and light ferrous scents emerging. The palate is medium-bodied with a dash of pepper on the entry. This is youthful but approachable, not long in the mouth, but "cool, calm and collected." This is a fine Figeac destined to give a couple of decade's worth of pleasure. Tasted June 2015.

The 2006 Figeac is a vintage that I have appreciated for some time, though this might be its best showing. Well-defined and vibrant on the nose, it is quite precise with expressive Cabernet Franc, touches of freshly-rolled tobacco and sage infusing the brambly red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins, displaying a discrete marine influence. Hints of black olive emerge towards the finish with a touch of pencil box. Maybe it just stumbles in the final furlongs, yet it is a solid Figeac trying its damn best to please, despite its shortcomings. Tasted at the 2006 Bordeaux tasting at the Savoy Hotel, London.

Magnum. Made by Thierry Manoncourt.  Transparent shaded ruby. Clearly evolved just to look at. Really very fresh but ripe and sweet initially, too, with flattering maturation. Stony nose. Precise and so different from the St-Émilion norm in 2006! Elegant. Clean and refreshing. Dry but not painful finish. My kind of wine. (JR)