Figeac 2010

Still has a trace of blue in the colour. Almost skinny on the nose – very distinctive in a group of 2010 St-Émilions. Not an ounce of fat nor oak! Really sleek and refreshing but extremely youthful. Some commentators may have decried this at the time but I suspect it will outlive many a 2010 St-Émilion. 14%Drink 2024 – 2042

There is a lot happening on the nose with ripe rich fruit overlaid by fresher red fruited fragrances. The palate is deep and complex black fruited richness balanced by red cherry freshness. There is lots of concentration but an underlying elegance.

This is a Figeac with plenty of substance but still elegant and fresh in style. Dense, lively, expressive fruit. Firm but fine tannins. Great length. Drink 2020-2040.

Many 2010 St-Emilion are over the top, with high alcohols, but not Figeac. The nose is starting to evolve, with lush blackcurrant and mint aromas, and hints of bacon and liquorice. Sleek and concentrated, the wine still shows admirable freshness. It's assertive and peppery, has power and spice, and its long, majestic finish is sustained by its fine-grained tannins. Drink 2023-2040.

The 2010 Figeac has a youthful and exuberant bouquet with black cherries, boysenberry, cassis and violets that soar from the glass. There is no stopping the aromatics here. The palate is rich and sensual on the entry with precocious red fruit laced with blood orange and cedar. It firms up a little towards the structured finish that exerts fine grip and there is real persistence in evidence. This is a very classy 2010 Right Bank, this bottle showing even better than the example at BI Wines & Spirits a few days earlier. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. Drink 2024-2050.

Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property and then in Bordeaux a year later. The 2010 Figeac was a "problem child" in its youth, very variable and difficult to pin down, vexing on occasion. Now with a couple of years in bottle, it is really beginning to show what it can do and it far surpassed my expectations. Certainly, it is more withdrawn on the nose compared to the more generous 2009 Figeac. The aromatics are holding everything back. Then, with continued aeration it reveals a subtle marine influence—seaweed and sea spray scents, estuary mudflats. The palate is medium-bodied with moderate depth, but what really distinguishes this wine are the fineness of the tannin, the symmetry of the structure and freshness on the finish, facets hitherto kept secret. As such, it surpasses the 2009, the weightless but intense finish beckoning you to take another sip. The aromatics need to up their game and match what's evolving on the palate—if they do, this will be a very serious Figeac. Drink: 2020 - 2045.

This is very structured, with a solid core of plums, chocolate and bright acidity. Firm and silky tannins and a long, long finish. A powerful and structured young wine

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Figeac bursts from the glass with gregarious scents of baked blueberries, black cherry compote and chocolate box with hints of camphor, pencil lead and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has beautifully ripe, velvety tannins and bold freshness supporting the generous fruit, finishing long and layered. Drink 2020-2047.

Very dark crimson. Medium concentration. High-toned minerality on the nose. Lots of appetising sap and savour. Loose and round and easy peasy. Attractive in that it's not overdone; possibly a chance missed in that it's just slightly slack. Or possibly it's Figeac..! Ah. That last phrase was written when I tasted this blind and it's true that this potentially great wine rarely shows well en primeur. Hence the hopeful double plus after the score. Though its gravel soils will not have done the wine any favours in this exceptionally dry vintage.