Chateau Figeac 1998

DECANTER: "Hail on 1 July took 40% of the crop from half of Figeac's 40ha vineyard. Harvest ran from 23 September to 13 October. I last tasted this vintage in a vertical at the estate a few years ago, and it's every bit as good today. It's getting to that perfect moment to drink, when you just sink into it. It has a rich and complex nose of blueberries and cassis, rippled through with leather, cigar box and exotic spices. The tannins are soft and almost nutty, but this is still a vibrant wine full of life, sumptuous with great concentration."

WEINWISSER: "Tiefe und dichte Farbe wie seit einem Jahrzehnt nicht mehr. Königliches, homogenes Bouquet, leicht laktisch, berauschende Cabernet-Franc-Süsse, erdige Süsstöne, Irish-Moos, wunderschöne Würznote. Im Gaumen wiederum sehr komplex, saftig, tiefgründig, sensationelles Terroirfundament, Potential zeigend. Ein Klassiker, nahe einem Jahrundertwein."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Dark crimson. Pungent and particularly spicy – almost cinnamon – but transparent. Fresh. Tannins have subsided."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Fully developed, medium bodied, silky, elegant and fresh, the wine shows sweet, ripe cherries, tobacco and earthy notes on the nose and palate. The fruit is quite charming, and the wine shows a lot of character, but it could be a little weightier."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Pretty blackberry, with black olive on the nose. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a delicate fruit, dark chocolate and coffee aftertaste.—'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Best after 2010."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Tasted at the Château Figeac vertical at the property from magnum, the 1998 Château Figeac is one of the best wines from this era, one where I feel that this Saint Emilion lost its way a little. It has a conservative nose, at least for the habitually opulent Right Banks in this vintage, with meaty, dried blood aromas infusing the rustic red berry fruit, later developing light ferrous/copper piping scents. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine line of acidity. The tannins are now softened with age and there is a tang of orange zest interlacing the red berry fruit on the finish. Slightly grainy in texture, it does not offer the opulence of other Right Bank Saint Emilions, though it is keeping with the Figeac style. I would start opening bottles now, however this 1998 will keep giving pleasure for another two decades. Tasted June 2015."