Tasted at the Chateau Figeac vertical at the property from magnum, the 2001 Figeac is beginning to fulfill its early promise and is evolving into a really quite wonderful Saint Emilion. Deep in color, the nose is initially reserved, but it unfurls to offer enticing mint and salted licorice scents, pencil box and musk that are all beautifully focused. The palate is well balanced with very well-judged acidity. The Cabernet Franc shines through and imparts a subtle bell pepper note. This is fresh and still youthful, refined and poised with veins of blood orange. Coming into its own now after 15 years in bottle, this is open for business and should offer another two decades of drinking pleasure. This 2001 deserves decanting as I observed this improving in the glass. Tasted June 2015.

Muted nose, coffee, leather, liquorice. Rich, rounded, juicy, evolved, but still full of concentrated blackberry fruit. Solid and robust, spicy and vigorous, complex and long.