Château Figeac 2023 has made a notable entrance into the market, being released at GBP 1,788 (EUR 2,116) per 12×75.
This vintage has garnered significant acclaim, with renowned critic Neal Martin awarding it an impressive 96-98 points, declaring it "among the best wines of the vintage."
Buyers seeking value might also consider the 2016 and 2019 vintages, which offer competitive quality and pricing.
A Notable Release Amid Bordeaux En Primeur Campaign
As part of this year's Bordeaux En Primeur campaign, Château Figeac 2023 was released at EUR 150 per bottle ex-négociant. This price represents a 40.5% reduction from the 2022 release, which was EUR 252 per bottle. For international buyers, the 2023 vintage is being offered at GBP 1,788 (EUR 2,116) per 12×75, a significant 41.1% decrease from the 2022 opening price of GBP 3,036 (EUR 3,593) per case.
Historical Context and Value Comparison
Château Figeac's promotion to Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the 2022 revision of the Saint-Émilion Classification adds to the prestige of this release. However, for buyers looking for historical value, the 2020, 2019, 2016, and 2014 vintages may offer compelling alternatives. These vintages are considered good value relative to today's release.
Critical Acclaim for Château Figeac 2023
The critical response to Château Figeac 2023 has been overwhelmingly positive:
- Antonio Galloni (Vinous): Describes the 2023 Figeac as "an absolute beauty" and "one of the wines of the vintage," awarding it 95-98 points.
- Neal Martin (Vinous): Echoes this sentiment, awarding 96-98 points and highlighting its potential to be "a wonderful Saint-Emilion."
- Jane Anson: Awards her second-highest score of the vintage, 98 points, praising its "savoury dark fruit character" and "Figeac finesse."
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (The Wine Independent): Scores it 96-98 points, noting complex scents including black raspberries, pencil shavings, and wood smoke.
- William Kelley (The Wine Advocate): Also awards 96-98 points, calling it "a brilliant classic in the making."
- James Lawther MW (Jancis Robinson): Scores it 17.5/20 points, describing it as a "typical Figeac with sweetness and freshness combined."
Pricing Analysis and Alternatives
Using Liv-ex Fair Value methodology, Château Figeac prices are 65.9% correlated with scores from Neal Martin, a trusted critic of Bordeaux En Primeur wine. Today's release falls below the Fair Value regression line, indicating a potentially advantageous purchase despite its higher price compared to other highly rated vintages.
The 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages are all below the trend line, representing Fair Value. Notably, the 98-point 2016 and 2019 vintages are available at slight premiums to today's release, with Market Prices of GBP 1,804 (EUR 2,135) and GBP 1,796 (EUR 2,126) per 12×75, respectively. The 2016 vintage has received high praise, including 98 points from Jane Anson and 98+ from Jeb Dunnuck and Antonio Galloni. The 2019 vintage, meanwhile, is the only one to receive a perfect 100-point score from Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW.
Conclusion
Château Figeac 2023 stands out not only for its exceptional critical acclaim but also for its competitive release price, particularly in comparison to previous years. For those seeking both quality and value, considering the 2016 and 2019 vintages might be a prudent choice, given their outstanding scores and relatively favorable market prices.