1995 Chateau Figeac Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 12x75cl

Vinous 89/100

The 1995 Figeac was poured from jeroboam. It has an open and slightly tertiary nose, even from large format, and is less complex than the 2001 when judged side-by-side. A touch of cola and brown spices emerge with time, but it needs to be more fully knitted together. The palate is balanced, not tremendously complex, but there is substance and sinew here, gritty tannins with sour cherries and a dash of black pepper on the finish. Maybe a bit short. Good, but not a top-class Figeac. Tasted at Château Figeac at their celebratory dinner marking the opening of the new winery. [Neal Martin, 26/01/2023]

Anticipated maturity: 2022-2032

Robert Parker 92

Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property from one of the last remaining imperials, one could argue that the six-liter format would have benefit the 1995 Figeac. Even so, that should not take anything away from this, the best vintage of that decade. Firstly, one notices that it is deeper in color than the underwhelming 1996. Then you fall into the aromatics, a beguiling concoction of blackcurrant pastilles, melted tar and tobacco all beautifully preserved after two decades. What differentiates it from the succeeding vintages is that here there is the fruit to back it up. The palate is fresh and quite dense in the mouth. The acidity is perfectly matched to the fruit, lively with a touch of piquancy on the ebullient, red cherry and wild strawberry finish that still has a bit of glycerin. The 1995 is the best vintage between 1990 and 2001, and represents a worthy wine to celebrate Thierry Manoncourt’s 50th vintage. Tasted June 2015. [28/09/2017]

JancisRobinson.com 14.5

Dark healthy ruby. Glossy ruby. Some perceptible Cabernet Franc on the nose here, together with something not 100 per cent clean – shame because there is some delicacy. Some Bovril and some ink. The fruit is struggling to rise about everything else. [25/10/2005]

Anticipated maturity: 2004-2010