Petit-Figeac Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2021 / 13% / 0.75 L

Figeac itself best tells the story of Petit-Figeac 2021 and the place where it is born—an estate that stretches like a green oasis across 54 hectares of a single, contiguous property in the heart of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.This is a rare landscape in the appellation: three deep outcrops of Günz gravel, quartz, and flint on blue clay, a mosaic of microclimates and plots, interspersed with a lake, meadows, an arboretum, and a long strip of hedgerows—deliberately left “wild” to allow the vineyard to thrive in balance.It’s no wonder that for decades, Figeac has been growing Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon here in proportions unheard of on the right bank; on the gravel soils, these grapes ripen with elegance and vibrancy, giving the wines their graphite-like, mineral character.This place is tended by the Manoncourt family (now led by Blandine de Brier Manoncourt and Director Frédérik Faye), who combine scientific curiosity with hospitality — from the meticulous selection of old vines to research on biodiversity and collaboration with scientific institutions.In 2021, a new, gravity-fed winery spanning over 5,000 m²—partially hidden beneath a hillside—was opened here; it is a precision tool that allows the wine to flow through each stage as gently as possible.A year later, decades of effort were crowned with Figeac’s promotion to the elite Premier Grand Cru Classé “A” rank in the new Saint-Émilion classification.

The second classification system for Bordeaux wines was established as early as 1945—by decision of Thierry Manoncourt, one of the pioneers of rigorous quality selection in Bordeaux.Since the 2012 vintage, it has been known as Petit-Figeac and is made exclusively from grapes grown on the estate.This is its “younger brother,” fully shaped by the same philosophy: it is meant to be more approachable in its youth, with a silky texture and beautifully defined length, while clearly capturing the spirit of the place.

The 2021 vintage in Bordeaux was cooler and more classic, with a challenging growing season in the vineyards.In Figeac, they responded with patience: the harvest was extended from September 21 to October 19—one of the longest and latest in the estate’s history—and the first wines were produced in the new winery, resulting in a style of crystalline precision.

Appearance: A ruby-red, transparent color of medium intensity, with a slight violet hue at the rim of the glass.The wine appears fresh, elegant, and refined, with a delicate sheen that reveals the youthfulness of the 2021 vintage.

Aroma: The nose opens with juicy red fruits—raspberry, cherry, and red currant—interwoven with notes of violets and rose petals.Over time, more complex notes emerge: graphite, cedar, subtle spice, the lightness of Mediterranean herbs, and a delicate hint of blood orange.The aroma is clean, fresh, and multi-layered.

Taste: On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, very harmonious, and elegant.In the foreground, a juicy fruit flavor, supported by lively acidity and fine, velvety tannins.A slender structure with a long, mineral finish featuring recurring notes of graphite, dried herbs, and tobacco.The whole thing is fresh, well-balanced, and incredibly easy to drink.

Food Pairings: Petit-Figeac 2021 pairs perfectly with classic meat dishes—beef tenderloin, lamb chops, and duck confit.It pairs perfectly with mushroom dishes: risotto with porcini mushrooms, mushroom tart, and beef rolls in mushroom sauce.It also pairs well with roasted root vegetables, eggplant with tahini, and hard cheeses—such as Comté, Pecorino, or aged Gouda.