FIGEAC 
has been released at £930 per 6 bottles IB. This is another potential 100-pointer according to Neal Martin. He said, ‘the 2015 Figeac was stunning and the 2016 no less… in the end, only one (banded) score became inevitable.’ Just as noteworthy is Jancis’s rating of 19/20. She called it ‘Classic. Racy and juicy and beautifully balanced…Frédéric Faye and the Manoncourt family should be very proud.’ We loved this too. It has immensely attractive supple cool concentration and a silky fresh feel. Certainly not cheap and one for the long term, but likely to be very special indeed. The high Cabernet content here made this the perfect vintage for Figeac and the wine seems destined to be a classic.
LA CONSEILLANTE is also out at £930 per 6 bottles IB. Neal Martin rated this 96-98/100 and called it ‘a classic La Conseillante and the best since the majestic 2010. Similar to that vintage, it will require several years in bottle, but it will be well worth the wait.’ Galloni gave it 95-98/100 and called it ‘one of the undisputed stars of the vintage.’ We found it a gorgeously balanced and hedonistic mouthful . Conseillante is re-positioning itself in the market following the hiring of a new winemaking team and a slight changes to the style, and this price, which is high relative to earlier vintages, needs to be seen in that context.
VALANDRAUD is also out at £775 per 6 bottles IB. Neal Martin gave this 95-97/100 and called it ‘a seductive 2016.’ Seductive it may be but we will have to see how many this woos at a release price well above our estimate.
As ever you can keep up to date with everything #Bdx16 on our Recent Releases page.