CHATEAU FIGEAC 2009

CHÂTEAU FIGEAC 2009 – Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Legendary Right Bank Bordeaux | Powerful, Aristocratic, and Exceptionally Refined

Region: Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France
Classification: Premier Grand Cru Classé (later elevated to Premier Grand Cru Classé A)
Grape Blend: Approximately 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot
Style: Elegant, structured, powerful, and profoundly age-worthy

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Deep, complex, and beautifully expressive, opening with layers of blackcurrant, blackberry, black cherry, violets, graphite, cigar box, cedar, crushed stone, tobacco leaf, espresso, and exotic spice. Château Figeac’s unusually high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc gives remarkable aromatic freshness and Pauillac-like sophistication beneath the richness of Saint-Émilion fruit.

Palate:
Full-bodied, refined, and impeccably layered, revealing flavours of cassis, dark cherry, blackberry, plum, graphite, cocoa, tobacco, licorice, spice, and mineral freshness. Rich and concentrated, yet remarkably fresh and energetic, the palate combines power with extraordinary precision and finesse. More structured and linear than many Right Bank wines of the vintage, with exceptional purity and elegance.

Structure:
Full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins, vibrant acidity, and exceptional balance. Château Figeac’s distinctive gravel soils and unusually Cabernet-driven blend create a style that often bridges the elegance of Saint-Émilion and Pauillac, offering structure, freshness, and remarkable longevity. The 2009 vintage delivered extraordinary richness while preserving precision and restraint, producing one of the château’s greatest modern wines.

Finish:
Exceptionally long, polished, and beautifully persistent, lingering with black fruit, graphite, violets, cedar, spice, and crushed stone minerality. Noble, seamless, and deeply sophisticated.

In Summary

Château Figeac 2009 is widely regarded as one of the estate’s benchmark modern vintages and a superb expression of Saint-Émilion at the highest level. Long admired for its unique terroir and distinctive blend, Château Figeac stands apart from many Right Bank estates due to its unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, producing wines of elegance, freshness, and remarkable ageing potential.

The 2009 Bordeaux vintage brought extraordinary ripeness and concentration, and at Figeac the result was a wine of power, sophistication, and aristocratic balance. Compared with the more structured and classical 2010, the 2009 is slightly richer and more approachable while still offering tremendous longevity. Critics awarded widespread acclaim, with scores including 98 points James Suckling, 97+ Robert Parker, and 97 Vinous.

Today, the wine is entering a magnificent drinking phase, beginning to reveal tertiary complexity while still retaining youthful energy and many decades of life ahead.

Vintage Notes

The 2009 Bordeaux vintage is regarded as one of the greatest of the modern era, characterised by warm, dry conditions and exceptional ripeness. In Saint-Émilion, both Merlot and Cabernet varieties flourished, producing wines of richness, depth, and extraordinary balance. Château Figeac particularly excelled, crafting a wine of exceptional purity, structure, and longevity.

Drinking Window

Now: Stunning with 2–3 hours decanting
Peak: 2025–2055+
Cellaring: Exceptional long-term ageing potential

Food Pairing

• Beef tenderloin or côte de bœuf
• Roast lamb with rosemary and garlic
• Duck breast or pigeon
• Truffle risotto and mushroom dishes
• Venison and game meats
• Braised short ribs
• Aged hard cheeses and elegant fine dining cuisine