| Figeac 2007 • March 2008 | FIGEAC
1st Great Classified Growth
2007 Vintage
Geographical situation and vineyard:
The Château de Figeac is a family owned estate in one single block covering an area of 54 hectares (133,38 acres) of which 40 hectares (98,8 acres) are under vine.
Figeac can definitely claim originality with its vines planted over three gravel hills leading to its unusual proportions of grape varieties for Saint-Emilion:
- 35% Cabernet Sauvignon,
- 35% Cabernet Franc,
- and only 30% Merlot.
Vineyard management:
The Spirit of Figeac relies in sustainable viticulture techniques as well as what concerns its surroundings (grounds, vegetable garden, pond,forest…)
Vinifications, technically controlled, are very softly made in order to elaborate a top product, a work of art, whose major characteristic is elegance.
Weather conditions:
In Figeac, winter 2006/2007 was mild and dry.
In February, rains were quite welcome to restore ground water. (Rainfall was below average for the period going from October 2006 to March 2007, with a hydric deficit of over 25%).
April was exceptionally hot with temperatures 3°C above the average! Bud-break in the vines occurred very early with an advance of 8 days on average over the 2006 vintage.
In May and June, sun was often shaded by clouds, but the high temperatures of the 20 to 28 of May period allowed a quick flowering.
June and July were also cool and cloudy. Grape colour change began around July 10 in relatively cool weather conditions. It was only around July 20 that the process really got going with the mid-point of grape colour change occurring August 6.
This very peculiar weather conditions lessened the advance of the beginning of the year as in a movie played in slow-motion.
September was blessed by God. Nice winds, fair temperatures allowed Figeac to obtain good grapes ripeness with good health due to sustained efforts.
Harvest:
Merlots were picked in between September 24 and 27, Cabernets Francs from October 4 to 12 and Cabernets Sauvignons from October 2 to 15.
The average yield was, then, around 40 hectolitres per hectare.
There will be little second label (La Grange Neuve de Figeac).
…and some bottles of a special cuvée (Petit-Figeac).
Contact
Château Figeac – 33330 Saint-Emilion
Tel: +33 (0) 557 247 226 – Fax: +33 (0) 557 744 574
E-mail: chateau-figeac@chateau-figeac.com
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