Château Figeac, 2024 - Magnum

"(Saint-Émilion; 39% Cabernet Sauvignon; 28% Cabernet Franc; 33% Merlot; a final yield of 31 hl/ha after the use of densimetric sorting to deal with the consequences of the long floraison followed by optimetric sorting, with 21% of what was harvested rejected from the 36 hl/ha picked; pH 3.66; 8% vin de presse; 100% new oak as usual; 13% alcohol; tasted at the property with Frédéric Faye and members of the family). Perhaps the most beautiful nose of the entire en primeur campaign at this stage. Gloriously elegant and enticing. So naturally expressive without any need for aeration. Gently sweet-scented with a note of saffron and walnut alongside the black cherries, damson and blueberry fruit profile. Violet and peony, wisteria and lily. With aeration this becomes a little fresher with the proportion of berry fruits seeming to rise as the cherries and fruits of the forest recede just a little. That gives a hint as to the tension and the source of the tension in the wine. The oak is present and there is a subtle hint of vanilla but it serves to support the gentle florality – wisteria and lily of the valley above all. With aeration, too, more and more cedar. On the palate, assorted dark berries but also, less present on the aromatics, raspberry, loganberry and strawberry. Ample in its frame, spherical and pushing at the cheeks, yet always retaining the purity and the precise crystallinity that sets this apart as really one of the wines of the vintage. The oak is still integrating but this is just a question of time."

"Silky and aromatic, with velvety tannins, the 2024 Figeac is sublime. Floral and savory aromatics meld into a core of blue/purplish fruit, spice, licorice, lavender and menthol. All the elements are so well balanced. The blend is 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, with 8% press wines. Not surprisingly, the 2024 is a very Cabernet-driven Figeac. Production is 60,000 bottles, or 50% of normal, because of low yields and further selection in the cellar. Tasted two times."

"Vivid plum and ruby colour, clear ripe raspberry and damson fruits, sappy quality, fine tannins. The Cabernet Franc slowly unfurls its floral waves, violets and iris, with white flowers, savoury black fruits, good energy and length. Figeac has shown over and over again that it can deliver wines that succeed and delight in many different kinds of vintage conditions, and it is an estate to have confidence in. 31hl/ha yield, 100% new oak, 8% press, 3.66pH. 31hl/ha yield. They deleafed on both sides for the first time since technical director Romain Jean-Pierre arrived 13 years ago. Harvest September 20 to October 5."