2006 Chateau Figeac
Regular price £315.90 Save £-315.90ABOUT THE WINE
An ancient vineyard, named after its Gallo-Roman owners, the Figeacus family, the Figeac estate has been continually occupied and farmed for at least two thousand years. The terroir is very special indeed, a large part of the original 200-hectare estate was sold off during the 18th Century to the Ducasse family to become Chateau Cheval Blanc, and other sections contribute to some of the finest estates in the appellation. The 42-hectare vineyard that remains contains vines over 100 years of age, with an unusually high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon planted.
TASTING NOTES
An elegant and surprisingly approachable vintage for Figeac; sweet aromas of menthol, fruitcake, cherries, and black currants, silky tannins and an evolved, precocious style, drinking well from 2015.
FOOD PAIRING
Grilled and roast lamb with garlic and rosemary.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Despite their Cabernet-driven style, this vintage shows only the vaguest hints of the green pepper notes that affected right bank wines from this year.
2006 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Regular price £260.65 Save £-260.65ABOUT THE WINE
Pichon Lalande earned its name when Therse, the daughter of the founder received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville. During the 18th century the wine-growing influence at Pichon Lalande was definitely feminine. Perhaps that explains part of the wines sensuous qualities. Pichon Lalande was essentially managed by three women: Therese de Rauzan, Germaine de Lajus and Marie Branda de Terrefort. Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville succeeded his mother taking over Pichon Lalande when he was only 19. What happened next changed the landscape of the Medoc forever. On the eve of his death in 1850, he divided the property between his five children. In modern times May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, daughter of Edouard Miailhe became the new owner and general manager of Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande in 1978. She made numerous investments and improvements at Pichon Lalande. She later sold Pichon Lalande to the owners of Roederer Champagne in January 2007. Once the purchase for Chateau Pichon Lalande was concluded, in 2008, a complete renovation of the estate took place.
TASTING NOTES
Abundant aromas of chocolate, coffee, cedar, black currants, and a subtle touch of smoke, a rich, savoury, full-bodied mouthfeel, plump, fleshy fruit, and a superb finish. This is a 21st century version of the brilliant 1996.
FOOD PAIRING
Perfect with beef ragout and tagliatelle or pepper steak.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The opulence and body of this make it a great hedonistic experience wine.