Chateau La Tour Figeac Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2014

Country: France

Region: Saint-Emilion 

Classification: Grand Cru Classe

Grape Varieties: Blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc

Average aged of vines: 35 years

Description

Until the late 1800’s, Chateau La Tour Figeac was an important part of the massive, 200 hectare, St. Emilion estate, Chateau Figeac. For numerous reasons, Figeac divided and sold their land in multiple transactions in the late nineteenth century.

Today, Figeac is 37 hectares, which is a lot less than the original vineyard size of 200 hectares. In 1876 Figeac sold numerous parcels from their estate. A few years later, in 1879, once again more vines were sold. In the transaction of 1879, some of the land was purchased by the Corbière family. Those vineyards were used to create Chateau La Tour Figeac.

In 1881, similar to what just took place at Figeac, Chateau La Tour Figeac was split in two. Fifty percent continued to exist as La Tour Figeac and the remaining 50% of the vineyard became La Tour du Pin Figeac.

Chateau La Tour Figeac is owned and managed by the Rettenmaier family. The Rettenmaier family purchased the estate in 1973, shortly after their friends, the von Neipperg family bought Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere. The vineyards are located in very good Saint Emilion terroir.

As you can see, they have some well-known neighbors with Chateau Figeac to the south, Chateau Cheval Blanc to the east and to the north and west you find the Pomerol appellation just a few rows of vines away. Otto Rettenmaier is in charge of the estate today.

Review:

Wine Advocate 89-90

Neal Martin- 30/04/2015

The Château La Tour Figeac 2014, a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, has a nicely proportioned nose of dark berry fruit mixed with subtle floral scents. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, a little bitterness on the entry, but it feels fresh. It tapers in slightly toward the finish, but otherwise this is a fine La Tour Figeac.