Chateau Figeac

Château Figeac is a property in the Saint-Émilion appellation of Bordeaux. The grand vin is known for its rich nose, silky texture and elegance, and for its aging potential in better vintages. It was rated as Premier Grand Cru Classé in the 1955 Saint-Émilion Classification. Figeac is generally regarded as having markedly improved since World War II under the ownership of Thierry Manoncourt, and has become one of the most sought-after Right Bank Bordeaux reds.

There has been an estate on the site since Roman times, although the vineyard was much larger until sections were sold off in the 19th Century, including those that expanded Cheval Blanc in 1832. The current vineyard is, nevertheless, among the largest in Saint-Émilion at 99 acres (40ha). There are three gravel outcrops, which explains the unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (about 35 percent each) in a typical bottle of Figeac. Merlot, usually dominant in this region, accounts for the remaining 30 percent.

In 1945, Château Figeac was one of the first Bordeaux estates to introduce a second wine, La Grange Neuve de Figeac, named after a particular plot in the estate. Since 2012, however, the second wine has been Petit-Figeac, made from various selections of vines across the wider estate. Other wine labels containing the word "Figeac" are not related to this estate.

The grapes are vinified in a variety of small vessels, either conical, open-topped wooden vats or stainless steel tanks, which correspond to specific lots in the vineyard. The grand vin is aged in 100-percent new oak barrels, while Petit-Figeac is typically aged is for 15 to 18 months in oak barrels, 20 percent of which are new. Approximately 100,000 bottles of the grand vin are produced annually, with about 40,000 of Petit Figeac.