In WEIN GOURMET magazine (Austria, Germany, Switzerland), June-July edition, Figeac is rated among the “excellent wines” of the 2007 vintage, with 92-93 points. “Dark in colour with complex aromas dominated by wild strawberries. An elegant freshness and opulence on the palate with good length, and a fresh, distinctive, slightly stern finish”.

In the Swiss wine magazine (in german), VINUM Emotion, Figeac 2007 received 19/20 and was declared « Wine of the Century » by wine experts Rolf Bichsel and Barbara Schroeder. In June’s ‘Primeurs 2007’ editorial, it read: “the best reds of this vintage are, ex aequo: Ausone, Figeac and La Conseillante. FIGEAC being our Top Buy for 2007.

The article continued: « Figeac is celebrating two anniversaries this year: Laure and Eric d’Aramon will have been at Figeac’s helm for exactly 20 years, and the legendary Thierry Manoncourt has celebrated his 90th birthday. What better gift for their father and father-in-law than this extraordinary vintage, unlike any other before it, that captures so perfectly the vision of its master who, since the 1940s has governed this estate.

What an amazing bouquet, of raspberries, spices…Initial sensations are delicate, fruity and elegant on the palate, quickly followed by those rare and powerful tannins, and finally releasing an unbelievably rich and full finish. This is a wine whose qualities are as exemplary as they are unique. One of the three best reds of the vintage. 2015 to 2030 ».

We receive this tribute as recompense for a year of extreme vigilance and hard work, in partnership with the “terroir” nature has provided.
Count Eric d’Aramon

Bipin Desai, an Indian living in the US, a Bordeaux wine devotee and collector of Chateau Figeac, was kind enough to invite to lunch, at Taillevent, a small group of fervent wine lovers to celebrate the 90th birthday of the proprietor of Chateau Figeac. Gathered together, from the four corners of the earth, were eminent Masters of Wine, well known professional and amateur wine tasters, writers and auctioneers. 17 Figeac vintages were awaiting their arrival, brought personally by Theirry Manoncourt! Including a 1943, the first year he vinified, through to 2005; without forgetting those he produced since 1988, with his son in law Eric d’Aramon.

Partick Bernard, founder of MILLESIMA, was one of the guests at this exceptional lunch:
“A total pleasure. I had come to find enjoyment in each glass, but it went far beyond this; there was a unique combination of some truly amazing wines coupled with passionate wine lovers - all so elated to be there - many of whom have followed Figeac for many years. We embraced what creates the strength and power, the genius of Bordeaux; this unique relationship between those who make wine and those who drink, sell and judge it. This has been an on-going affair for the past 200 or 300 years….and between Thierry Manoncourt and the guests, a relationship based on the facts and the fruits of his work. He has exposed himself, yet not done in an ignoble way. He has asked us to judge his work. A life’s work. It was a real moment of trust, friendship and mutual respect”.

Four categories of wines were presented
1983,1982, 1975, 1971
1970,1964, 1961, 1959,
1955,1953, 1950, 1947, 1943,
And lastly, 2005, 2000, 1990, 1986.

“Of Figeac, I do not know if one can speak of evolution. More of variation. Such a wide range of styles! Some years were so powerful, fleshy and complex, other years were more refined, evoking more elegance. Over and above these variations, the Figeac style was unremitting. It’s rather like being in the same family; me and my two brothers with different characters but brought up by the same parents and sharing similar common traits. Just like the ‘55, ’50 and ’47.

“I’ve also learned a lesson today: one shouldn’t be so tough on the smaller vintages ! With chateaux such as Figeac, they can really surprise and offer exceptional quality ”
“Within each category there was at least one which took us by surprise, that revealed itself to be far superior to what we were expecting. For example, the ’71 was impressive in its complexity and depth. The ’64, a difficult vintage that was picked after the rains, was found to be as attractive as a ’59. The ’50, for a forgotten vintage, was quite delicious. And the ’86 was really exceptional; hardly anyone believed it was an ’86 ! Some even thought it might have been a wine from the left bank”

“This tasting confirmed to me the validity of Thierry Manoncourt’s choice of vines. There is a real balance between the soil of Figeac and the cabernets”.