| Figeac 2002 • August 2003 | FIGEAC
1st Great Classified Growth "B"
2002 Vintage
Weather conditions and growing season
An atypical year, with heavy rains on the one hand, and a severe lack of water in the soil on the other. This resulted in reduced growth of the berries, which led to much lower yields than normal.
A long, drawn-out flowering meant that crop thinning was necessary, not to bring down excessive yields, but to even out the ripening.
A rainy, cool August slowed down the ripening. Fortunately, however, September and the first two weeks of October were fine, hot and sunny, which allowed all the grape varieties to reach a good level of ripeness.
The 2002 was one of those vintages that require patience in the vineyard. The Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon benefited from these conditions and showed impressive aromas and tannins and great complexity.
We had not seen Cabernet Franc at almost 14° natural alcohol for many years !
Harvest
The Merlot was picked on the 22nd and 23rd September, the Cabernet Franc between the 3rd and 6th October and the Cabernet Sauvignon from the 7th to the 9th October.
Taking into account the different jobs carried out in the vineyard during the summer, these dates correspond in the end to the average of the last 10 years. Let us not forget that Figeac has the unchallenged reputation of picking late !
First impressions of the vintage
The blending was carried out, as usual, at the end of January.
After taking into account the condition of the crop, the Great Wine was made up of 30 % Merlot, 35 % Cabernet Franc and 35 % Cabernet Sauvignon.
A very attractive dense, deep red colour, without excess.
A very "Figeac" nose with a mingling of very ripe red berry fruit aromas with hints of spices, in which cinnamon and cedar-wood come through in particular, and sometimes, depending on the period of tasting, toasty oaky notes slowly merging into the background.
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