Chateau Figeac 2017

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpurgranat mit schwarzer Mitte. Ein ungeheuer dichtes und vielschichtiges Bouquet mit Brombeeren und Schlehensaft. Im zweiten Ansatz verführerischer Irisduft, Lakritze, tasmanischer Bergpfeffer und Brazil-Tabak. Am kraftvollen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur und engmaschigem, perfekt reifem Tanningerüst, kraftvoll umspannen die Muskeln den mächtigen Körper, erinnert an einen Kugelstosser, der kurz verharrt, um dann explosionsartig loszulegen. Im gebündelten Finale wirkt der Gigant eher introvertiert und zeigt hier nicht sein wahres Gesicht. Anklänge an Wachsnoten, Schokopastillen und helle Edelhölzer. Aber alles ist hier am richtigen Platz und das heisst es: «Warten und Tee trinken.»"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The wine is richly textured, dark in color, showing purity of fruit with weight and density. Flowers, dark plums and black raspberry aromatics prevail with an extra nuance of licorice and wet earth. Everything here comes alive with a bit of coaxing. Full-bodied, the wine offers its fruit without much effort. There is length, freshness and soft polished textures in the finish. The wine was made from a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, reaching 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.66. Due to the frost yields were quite low this year, producing only 22 hectoliters per hectare."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This starts slowly, with black tea and sunbaked loam aromas leading off, followed by a deep well of black currant, fig and blackberry preserve flavors that form the core. From there, iron and espresso cream threads line the finish, where the fruit drips slowly and the aromas linger seductively. This will be a slow burn. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2042. 4,833 cases made."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Production was down by half this year—only producing 55,000 bottles. Made from 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Figeac gives up expressive notes of black cherries, plum preserves, black raspberries and kirsch, giving way to hints of dried leaves, cinnamon toast and warm cassis plus a waft of lavender. Medium-bodied, the palate has wonderful vibrancy with a refreshing line cutting through the crunchy black fruits and a firm, finely grained frame, finishing long and spicy."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Blackberries and violets with lots of perfume. Some roses, too. Full body. Very structured for this vintage with tight, lightly chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Creamy texture. Excellent density in the center palate. Try after 2023."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The grand vin is the 2017 Chateau Figeac, which was made only from first-generation grapes and is 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and only 10% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in new French oak. It offers a beautiful bouquet of creme de cassis, tobacco, violets, and tobacco, with a touch of forest floor and earth. Made in a pure, elegant, medium-bodied style, it's beautifully textured, seamless and elegant, with silky tannins and a solid spine of acidity. It's going to be drinkable in 4-5 years and cruise for 15-20 years."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The Cabernets, both Sauvignon and Franc, have produced a wine that is structured and firm, with plenty of backbone as well as fruit and acidity. It will be a juicy, rich wine that is sure to age well. The aftertaste is ripe and fruity. Drink from 2024."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, feine Kräuterwürze, schwarze Beerenfrucht, deutliche Edelholzwürze, zart nach Nougat. Komplex, straff, gute Extraktsüße, frischer Säurebogen, feste, ausgereifte Tannine, dunkle Schokolade im Abgang, mineralisch und gut anhaftend, sicheres Reifepotenzial, stark Cabernet-geprägter Stil."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Deep cherry red. Quietly fragrant nose: scented black fruit and really rather delicate on the palate. Fresh and elegantly balanced between the fine-grained tannins and fragrant fruit. Juicy finish, though the tannins start to build if you taste a second time, promising a long future."