Figeac

Château Figeac

Classification: First Growth (Premier Grand Cru Classé B)
Château Figeac is a very old estate and can be dated back to the 2^nd century AD in Roman times. It takes its name from a Roman called Figeacus who built a villa here. The water system dates back to the Gallo Roman period and the Château has remains of Medieval defensive walls and buildings as well as the ruins of a Renaissance Château incorporated into its structure. Figeac is located in the north west of the appellation, neighbouring Château Cheval Blanc. It's wines are among the most famous in Bordeaux and are highly sought after.

Château Figeac is unusual in that it has a gravel terroir and uses a different proportion of grapes than its peers in Saint Emilion. Because of this Château Figeac is known as the “most Médoc of Saint Emilions". It is the largest estate in Saint Emilion and covers 99 acres. Figeac belonged to the same family for more than 500 years but down the centuries it has been sold a number of times and plots of its vines have gone to other Château which explains the number of them which have added Figeac to their own name.

Thierry Manocourt took over Château Figeac in 1947 and used his considerable experience as an agricultural engineer to raise the quality of the wine and restore the winery and vineyards. Since 1988, his daughter Laure and her husband Count Eric d'Aramon have been helping run the estate.

The vineyards of Château Figeac lie on a deep, Médoc-like gravel topsoil over a flinty, iron rich subsoil – this terroir is often referred to as "Graves de Saint Emilion". In addition to the well draining gravel Figeac has a system of field drains. Although most Saint Emilions have a high proportion of Merlot, Figeac has a high proportion of Cabernets which are better suited to the soil. The grapes grown are 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot.

Wine Style
The wines of Château Figeac are elegant, dense, aromatic and complex with notes of plum, spices and blackberries. They are well structured with ripe tannins and have depth. They age well and are rather masculine in style.

Owner: Thierry Manocourt
Château Website: www.chateau-figeac.com 
Oenologist: G Pauquet