Located on Bordeaux's Right-Bank in Saint-Émilion lies the beautiful Chateau Figeac, a living legacy intricately woven into the fabric of the region for nearly 130 years. Acquired by the Manoncourt family in 1892, this historic property has evolved under their stewardship, marked by a rich history, visionary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.
Thierry Manoncourt: The Visionary Behind Figeac
The 20th century saw the emergence of Thierry Manoncourt as the driving force behind Château Figeac's transformation. Known as the "Pharaoh of Saint-Émilion," Thierry, an agricultural engineer, assumed control in 1947 and dedicated over six decades to shaping the estate's identity. His innovative approach, termed the "Figeac style," combined a forward-thinking perspective on winemaking with a profound respect for the environment.
Thierry Manoncourt's pioneering spirit extended beyond the vineyards. As the First Jurat of Saint-Émilion for twenty-three years and an Officer of the Legion of Honor, he played a pivotal role in co-creating the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, contributing significantly to the global recognition of Bordeaux wines.
While Figeac will surely celebrate its 2022 promotion, the journey to Premier Grand Cru Classé A has been a long one, marked by the unwavering belief of its owner, the late Thierry Manoncourt. Despite Manoncourt's passing in 2010 at the age of 92, his dream of seeing Figeac recognized as a Grand Cru Classé A remained unfulfilled.
Chateau Figeac St. Emilion Terroir
Château Figeac's 54-hectare vineyard, classified as "Premier Grand Cru Classé," boasts a unique terroir that sets it apart. Figeac's soil is a geological marvel, characterized by three gravelly ridges composed of quartz and flint. These ridges, several meters thick, create a distinctive foundation for the vines, contributing to the complexity and depth of the wines. Beneath the surface, blue clays in the subsoil add another layer of nuance, offering a rich tapestry for the vines to draw upon.
The beautiful gravel soils provide the perfect structure for cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc vines, an oddity within the merlot-heavy region. Approximately 35% of each cabernet variety is planted, with the remaining belonging to merlot vines, which were planted as far back as 1921. Overall, the average vine age in the vineyard is 35 years across 275,000 vines.
Vinification Process Behind Figeac Wine
Each Figeac harvest is organically and sustainably planted, with the estate certified ISO 14001 since 2015 and Level 3 HVE High Environmental Value since 2013. Once the growing season is complete, each grape is hand-picked and sorted before being fed into the custom-made French vats and stainless steel vats, located on the ground floor of the state-of-the-art winery, built in 2021. The new facility was created half below and half above ground level, complete with innovative technology to perfectly craft some of Bordeaux's greatest wines.
Once blended, the wines are aged for 15 to 18 months in new French oak barrels in the two large underground barrel halls. With the help of consulting winemaker Michel Rolland, around 120,000 bottles of the Grand Vin are released annually, followed by 40,000 of the second label, Petit-Figeac.
Chateau Figeac Wine and Petit-Figeac
Figeac's Grand Vin has become one of Bordeaux's most famous bottles throughout the past century, celebrated for its lush, satin tannins, peony aromas, and tobacco and black truffle flavors. Each bottle displays deep shades of crimson in the glass and is known for excellent drinking in its youth or the ability to age beautifully for years. Its sibling wine, Petit-Figeac, is a lighter and less full-bodied wine with beautiful length on the palate and a refined structure. The wine has been produced since 1945 when Thierry Manoncourt decided to create a second label with equal strictness and care, a rarity for Bordeaux winemakers at the time.
A Label that Transcends Time
The visual identity of Chateau Figeac is as unique as its wines. The label, created by Thierry Manoncourt's uncle, Robert Villepigue, for the 1906 vintage, defies convention. Eschewing classic engravings, it boldly showcases the handwritten name of Chateau Figeac underlined with a mischievous red, accompanied by the family coat of arms and Thierry's signature. This one-of-a-kind label is a testament to Figeac's deliberate departure from pre-established norms. The design of the label has continued to live on to this day, with its original red, gold, and bold lettering still represented on the current vintages.
2015 Chateau Figeac & Other Top Vintages
Château Figeac's journey is a narrative of passion, vision, and dedication—a tale that unfolds in every bottle, inviting wine enthusiasts to savor the essence of Saint-Émilion's extraordinary heritage. Bottles such as the 2015 Figeac have gained mass acclaim from both critics and drinkers, as the bottle received three 100-point scores from Jeb Dunnuck, Jane Anson, and Decanter Magazine. Other top vintages include the 2009, 2016, and 2020 Figeac bottles, all highly rated and amongst Bordeaux's recent stars.
Shop through our collection to find the perfect bottle of Chateau Figeac to add to your collection. Drink now for instant satisfaction or age in your cellar to experience the wines at full maturity. No matter what, the choice is yours!
