A beautiful wine that shines in the vintage, the 2008 Figeac offers a classic Figeac nose of tobacco, menthol, blackcurrants, and spice. This deep, rich, seamless 2008 has a great mid-palate, no hard edges, beautiful tannin, and a great finish.

These are not wines that jump out immediately, and the Cabernet Franc has so far dominated in all the St-Émilions in the line up where it has the chance. Give this time, because it opens to reveal black cherry and rose notes, finely grained tannins and a dancing acidity. Classicism on display.
Tasted by Jane Anson (at BI, London, 01 Jan 2018)
Part of How Bordeaux 2008 wines taste now: 70 top names rated

Medium bright ruby. Expressive nose offers strawberry, ripe red cherry and mineral aromas, all lifted by a floral topnote. Satiny-smooth on entry, with the ripe red berry and sweet spice flavors given laser-like precision by high but harmonious acids. Finishes long and subtle, with a pretty mineral nuance. Estate director Eric d'Aramon told me he felt this wine was very similar to the '06, but I feel the '08 lacks the fleshiness of that wine, making up for it with wonderfully pure, mineral-driven fruitiness.

Good deep red-ruby. Aromas of blackcurrant, bitter cherry and licorice. A dense, penetrating midweight, with a strong core of acidity giving shape and grip to its dark fruit and mineral flavors. Minerals and sweet fruit flavors carry through on the long, suave, gripping finish. Classic, uncompromisingly dry claret with firm but nicely buffered tannins.

The 2008 Figeac was the first vintage with winemaker Frédéric Faye at the helm following the passing of Thierry Manoncourt. It is a tripartite blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc cropped at 29hl/ha, matured in 100% new oak for 20 months. As I have remarked with respect to previous encounters, there is something almost Burgundy-like on the nose, thanks to the purity of fruit. With aeration it develops more Bordeaux traits such as mint and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin cut through by a fine line of acidity. This feels harmonious in the mouth although it does not possess the precision of current vintages. It remains rather masculine on the finish, completing an enjoyable Figeac that serves as a fine wine in itself, but can also be seen as a forerunner for the excellent 2009 and 2010 vintages. (Tasted at the château and at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual vertical tasting.) - vinous.com, February 2018

Full bottle just 1,295 g. Much less expressive on the nose than the 2009 Figeac. Initially anyway – I will put it in a young-wine decanter. But on the palate it's even more concentrated and very straight-backed Figeac-like. The relationship between the 2008 and the 2009, Thierry Manoncourt's last vintage, is very clear indeed. (JR)

35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot. Garnet hue. A ‘classic’ in nature and style. Gentle, refined bouquet. Stony, minerally terroir expression on the palate. Tannins firm and vigorous. Marked freshness and plenty of drive. Ready now but demands food. Could surprise with its capacity to age. (JL)

Blackberry, spice, cedar and milk chocolate. The palate has something slightly metallic about it – rusty, almost – and the finish doesn't seem entirely fresh. Structurally well balanced otherwise, so perhaps this isn't the best bottle? (RH)