Chateau Figeac dinner with Mr. Eric d'Aramon

Panos once again came through and organized a nice vertical dinner. This time we were joined by Mr. Eric d'Aramon, the wine maker at Chateau Figeac. Mr. d'Aramon was a bon vivant with a wonderful sense of humor.

Mr. d’Aramon explained the properties history. The property was owned by his wife’s family since the late 19 centuries but mostly managed from Paris. It was in the 50s when his father in law moved to the property and started to make the wine. The grape composition is 1/3 of cab s, cab f and merlot.

It was interesting and quite educational to taste the vertical of Figeacs. Mr. d’Aramon’s explained his approach in making wines that are drinking well vs tasting well and food friendly. The grapes are picked a bit early accordingly. The wines clearly reflected his philosophy. Other than the 09, they all showed bright acidity, fresh fruits and noticeable tannins. Mr. d’Aramon mentioned that perhaps cabernet sauvignon was picked a bit early and you can definitely notice green/vegetal characters. Will this express in different way perhaps menthol or mint with time, I am not so sure.

We started with a lovely Krug NV as usual a mid 90 pointer.

• 2006 Château Figeac 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  A hint of green pepper, cedar, ash, earth and flower. Blue and red fruits. The overall impression is cool and no sweetness in fruit. Medium concentration showing dry tannins. It is a nose driven wine perhaps will develop like the 86,ie mostly nose driven, a bit angular with noticeable tannins. Definitely not recommend if you prefer noticeable upfront fruits in your Bordeaux.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2005 Château Figeac 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Perhaps the second biggest/ripest wine of the dinner after the 09. Ripe but fresh, licorice, blue to black fruit. All Figeacs seem to clearly display the vintage characteristics and this no exception, interesting to compare with the 09 which is a typical 09. Very young, impressive showing excellent concentration, siky mouthfeel but not much pleasure to drink at the moment as the overall impression is not too expressive.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2000 Château Figeac 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Starts with a hint of green but quickly becomes very vegetal. I find strong presence of pyrazine bothersome a a la 2004 burgundy. Black fruits, mineral, caramel, coffee and tobacco. The palate displays medium concentration and slightly bitter. If you like chinon from a cooler vintage, you may like this wine. If you palate agrees with Bob or love upfront plush fruits, avoid.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Figeac 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Very Burgundian impression but distinctively Bordeaux, bright red fruits, cedar, licorice, caramel as usual for this property a hint of green which in this case quite refreshing. This medium body wine is the most approachable in this flight, soft, sweet and luscious. It is ready to go and will complement most meat dishes well.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2004 Château Figeac 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  This is open for business. Crushed blueberries, baked fruits, cassis, mineral, once again a hint of green. This medium body expressive wine is the most primary and freshest of the flight.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1999 Château Figeac 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  I initially called Brett but Ken B correctly identify as VA. Showing some ashes, charred meat, jammy sweet fruits, mushroom and wet tobacco. Slightly hollow mid-palate.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1998 Château Figeac 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  The 98 is my favorite at the moment. This is a very exotic and hedonistic wine. Deeply toned red fruits, flower, cinnamon, nutmeg, chartreuse and cedar. This displays similar Burgundian aspects as the 2001. Excellent concentration, bright acidity and integrated tannins. Lovely wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1995 Château Figeac 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Sweet red fruits, cherries, flowers, cocoa, cedar and a hint of green. The palate displays medium concentration, bright acidity and some tannins. The wine is fully matured and drinking well but will last due to the acidity and tannins. I believe some like this a lot more than I. I preferred the 98 by a wide margin.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1990 Château Figeac 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Another fully matured wine, earth, truffle, caramel, coffee, anise and a hint of mint. The palate displays medium concentration, freshness, bright acidity and fully integrated tannins. As expected, I seem to prefer riper style of this property. Lovely wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1986 Château Figeac 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  The wine that Mr. d'Aramon’s father in law made. According to Mr. d'Aramon his father in law didn’t put much emphasis on the color of the wine. Fully matured, red fruits, Barolo like sweetness and tar, anise and a hint of green. Bright acidity keeps the wine fresh but seems the lightest of all served. Mouth puckering tannins and high acidity makes the wine a bit angular. This was WOTN for some. This is a good wine but I certainly am not loving it.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2009 Château Figeac 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  This very ripe wine is not unlike the other 09s. This may be a bit controversial but this show the similar ripe fruit characters as the 09 Pavie. A critic rated this 93-94+ vs 70-75 for Pavie. Crushed blueberries, cassis, licorice, crushed rocks and lavender. This is a big scale, voluptuous wine. The most concentrated and ripest of the night.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Although we all agreed that most wines showed well, the opinions varied regarding the preferences. There were those who preferred most structured and nose driven 2001, 1995 and 1986 and others like me who like the riper style of 2009, 2005, 1998 and 1990. It was a wonderful evening with roomful of Figeacs. Thank you Mr. d'Aramon for generously donating the wines and personally attending the event and Panos for being the master organizer and instigator.