Figeac 2004

Notions of mint, Allspice, and Chinese black tea emerge from this medium-bodied, elegant 2004. It offers more in high brow finesse and aromatics than it does in substance, texture, and flavor depth. While this pretty wine should drink well for 10-12 years, it would have been reassuring to see more concentration and intensity from one of Bordeaux’s top terroirs. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2016.

This is an excellent Figeac from...er...Figeac. It has a typical nose with earthy, red-berried fruit, aromas of cranberry, cedar and blackberry - the Cabernet Sauvignon driving it along. It will need a few years to mellow out. The palate is still backward but very balanced with chewy, bold tannins, very good weight - a Figeac that grips the mouth with notes of cranberry, raspberry leaf and a touch of sous-bois and tobacco. This will get better and better with time, as this wine has a penchant of doing. Drink 2014-2028. Tasted November 2008.

Crimson with a light grey rim. Low key but quite well mannered nose. Some ripe red fruit flavours and a bit of roundness on the front palate. The tannins are not excessive. A low key but true representative of the vintage. [These were my comments tasting this wine blind - I urge wine lovers to remember that this is a property that repeatedly hides its light under a bushel early on.] Drink 2010-15