FIGEAC (Ex château 2021) 2010

Based on a normal mix of close to equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, the 2010 is still youthful yet certainly offers pleasure today. Deep ruby/plum-hued with a classic Figeac nose of red and black currants, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and truffle, and it certainly seems more Médoc than Saint-Emilion. Beautifully balanced on the palate, it's medium to full-bodied and has silky tannins, a terrific mix of both richness and freshness and an overriding sense of elegance. It's a gorgeous Figeac just coming into its own, with another two decades of prime drinking ahead of it. Drink 2021 - 2041

Exotic fig, boysenberry and blueberry preserves are married to polished tobacco and spice notes in this dense red, which has lots in reserve but is very sleek through the finish for now. It feels as if this will fill out considerably with more élevage. -J.M.

The 2010 Figeac has a deep hue. The nose is quite introverted at first, with dark berry fruit, incense, touches of fig and mulberry. The palate is beautifully balanced with a fine bead of acidity, gorgeous pure fruit, mulberry and dark plum, gentle considering the vintage. This 2010 has softened in the last couple of years, gaining depth toward the finish. Very persistent—this is just beginning to show what it is capable of. Tasted at the vertical in Berlin.

This is very structured, with a solid core of plums, chocolate and bright acidity. Firm and silky tannins and a long, long finish. A powerful and structured young wine.

Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property and then in Bordeaux a year later. The 2010 Figeac was a “problem child” in its youth, very variable and difficult to pin down, vexing on occasion. Now with a couple of years in bottle, it is really beginning to show what it can do and it far surpassed my expectations. Certainly, it is more withdrawn on the nose compared to the more generous 2009 Figeac. The aromatics are holding everything back. Then, with continued aeration it reveals a subtle marine influence—seaweed and sea spray scents, estuary mudflats. The palate is medium-bodied with moderate depth, but what really distinguishes this wine are the fineness of the tannin, the symmetry of the structure and freshness on the finish, facets hitherto kept secret. As such, it surpasses the 2009, the weightless but intense finish beckoning you to take another sip. The aromatics need to up their game and match what's evolving on the palate—if they do, this will be a very serious Figeac. Tasted July 2016.