The Château-Figeac vineyard: Location and surface area
Château-Figeac spreads across a 54-hectare single block of land, to the west of the Saint-Emilion appellation.
On the fringe of the Château Cheval Blanc vineyard and the Pomerol appellation, Château-Figeac comprises 40 hectares of vines, including 0.65 hectares of old vines dedicated exclusively to massal selections, but also 14 hectares dedicated to the preserving this rare biodiversity.
What is the history of Château-Figeac?
A history dating back to the 2nd century
A key reference, Château-Figeac is one of the finest wines from the right bank of the Bordeaux region, with a rich history dating back to the 2nd century. Belonging to the Figeacus family, the estate, which included an ancient Roman villa and vineyards, was then owned by the Decazes family in the 15th century.
In 1654, following the marriage between Marie Decazes and François de Carles, the estate was passed on to this family, who were pioneers and actively modernised viticultural practices in the Libourne wine region. The De Carle family grew the reputation of Château-Figeac's wines both in Paris and in Northern Europe.
A new era from the 19th century
André Villepigue and his wife, Henriette de Chèvremont, Thierry Manoncourt's grandparents, acquired Château-Figeac in 1892. The purchase was made following the valuable advice from Albert Macquin, a family friend and an agricultural engineer renowned for his work during the fight against phylloxera. For the next 10 years, Albert Macquin managed the estate, reorganising the vineyard and the wine-making facilities, as well as adding new plant varieties to the estate's grounds.
Thierry Manoncourt, a true visionary
Born in 1917, Thierry Manoncourt moved to the estate some 30 years later. Wishing to settle by his parents’ side for "only for a year" to ensure a smooth transition, this agricultural engineer became fascinated by this terroir that showcased a great potential. Seeking to enhance the expression of this vineyard, Thierry Manoncourt started a new chapter in the history of this estate by spearheading multiple innovations regarding viticulture and vinification, but also by advocating a deep respect for the environment and biodiversity.
As soon as the Classification of Saint-Emilion wines was created in 1955, Château-Figeac was given the Premier Grand Cru Classé title. Thierry Manoncourt was the First Jurat from 1964 to 1988, and has successfully highlighted the quality of Château-Figeac's wines and enhanced the appellation's reputation throughout the world.
All there is to know about Château-Figeac’s terroir
Location and sun exposure
The sun never sets on Château-Figeac's slightly hilly vineyard, situated at an altitude of approximately 38 metres.
Geology: a great vineyard rooted in a unique land
A geological wonder within an exceptional appellation, the estate’s vineyard rests on three outcrops composed of Günzian gravel. Comprising quartz, flint and blue clay, the soil gives a unique signature style to this illustrious reference among the finest Saint-Émilion wines.
Climate: vines under an oceanic influence
The Saint-Émilion appellation benefits from an oceanic climate. Although the summer months are hot, the amount of rainfall is moderate and sometimes heavy.
Growing practices
Following the passing of Thierry Manoncourt in 2010, Marie-France Manoncourt has rigorously and passionately carried on the production with two of her daughters by her side, Hortense and Blandine. The wines produced, exuding a refined and aromatic expression are the pure portrayal of this great Saint-Emilion terroir.
Eager to manage its vineyard using sustainable practices, Château-Figeac has followed an international environmental standard since 2015 and has obtained the HEV level 3 certificat since 2018.
The vinification
Following two and a half years of major renovation, Château-Figeac inaugurated its new cellar and vat room in 2021. This state-of-the-art facility houses 40 stainless steel cone-shaped tanks and 8 custom-made French oak tanks.
The signature style of Château-Figeac’s wines
The identity of Château-Figeac is as unique as its history and those who wrote it. The estate’s wines offer a singular and subtle balance between 3 illustrious grape varieties, Cabernet France, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Profile
A brilliant purple colour precedes a nose which exudes subtle fragrances of infused fruit, peony and graphite. The blend is 2/3 Cabernet and leads to the production of a great wine that blends elegance, precision and exceptional freshness. This wine will stay long on the mind and the palate.
Ageing potential
The structure, finesse and aromatic complexity of Château-Figeac’s wines are fully revealed after several decades of cellaring.
Food and wine pairing
Due to its structure and finesse, Château-Figeac wines will complement a wide range of dishes, such as red meats, poultry and some cheeses.
