With the arrival of Thierry Manoncourt at Figeac, selecting the right grape varieties and the planting ideal proportions became a scientific affair. In 1950, he began bottling samples of the different varieties from various parts of the estate to study the influence of each of the grape varieties after a normal ageing period of about ten years. This procedure made it possible to follow the development of wines made from individual grape varieties over a period of 40 years. Thierry Manoncourt has therefore been at the forefront of a type of research that is still quite rare in the Bordeaux region.

In the light of the data provided by this procedure, 30 % of the Figeac vineyard is planted with Merlot and 70% with Cabernets, half Cabernet Franc, half Cabernet Sauvignon.

Figeac has the highest proportion of Cabernet – and especially Cabernet Sauvignon – of any wine in the appellation. However, it can he enjoyed even when relatively young thanks to the excellent quality of the Merlot. Nevertheless, the high percentage of Cabernet grapes, with strong ageing potential, means that this great wine also lives up to collectors’ expectations.