Figeac 1989

Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property. In many ways, the 1989 Figeac was the biggest surprise of the vertical tasting. Hitherto lambasted by critics (including myself I might had), here it seemed to have undergone some Damascene conversion! Generous on the nose, it does not quite offer the fruit intensity of the 1990, but there are lovely warm gravel and licorice aromas, all beautifully detailed. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, sensual in style with Provençal herbs and fennel tincturing the mixture of smudged red and black fruit. From all accounts, it appears to have been a wine that shot out of the blocks with style, then ran out of steam for many years. Yet here, it is as if the 1989 has rediscovered that youthful promise, perchance at a point in time when many bottles have been popped and poured. Drink: 2015 - 2030

Consistently good but hardly special, the 1989 Figeac shows considerable amber at the edge, medium body, and a distinctive weedy, vegetal character with notes of vanilla, red and black currant, and smoke. The wine finishes short, but the aromatics and attack are very pleasant. There is just not much underneath this wine's superficial style. Anticipated maturity: now-2007. Last tasted, 12/02.