The Wine Cellar Insider
Recent Wine Tasting Notes
Advanced Tasting Note Search

Chateau La Tour Figeac St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau La Tour Figeac St. Emilion, Bordeaux with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards, and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau La Tour Figeac History, Overview

Until the late 1800s, Chateau La Tour Figeac was an important part of the massive, 200 hectares, St. Emilion estate, Chateau Figeac. For numerous reasons, Figeac divided and sold their land in multiple transactions in the late nineteenth century.

Today, Figeac is 37 hectares, which is a lot less than the original vineyard size of 200 hectares. In 1876 Figeac sold numerous parcels from their estate. A few years later, in 1879, once again more vines were sold. In the transaction of 1879, some of the lands were purchased by the Corbière family. Those vineyards were used to create Chateau La Tour Figeac.

In 1881, similar to what just took place at Figeac, Chateau La Tour Figeac was split in two. Fifty percent continued to exist as La Tour Figeac and the remaining 50% of the vineyard became La Tour du Pin Figeac.

Chateau La Tour Figeac is owned and managed by the Rettenmaier family. The Rettenmaier family purchased the estate in 1973, shortly after their friends, the von Neipperg family bought Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere. The vineyards are located in a very good Saint Emilion terroir.

As you can see, they have some well-known neighbors with Chateau Figeac to the south, Chateau Cheval Blanc to the east, and to the north and west, you find the Pomerol appellation just a few rows of vines away. Otto Rettenmaier is in charge of the estate today.

Chateau La Tour Figeac Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 15 hectare Right Bank vineyards of Chateau La Tour Figeac are planted to 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc. The terroir is a blend of gravel and sandy clay, atop a subsoil of clay soil. The vines are on average 35 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a vine density that ranges from 6,000 to 7,600 vines per hectare. Newer plantings are done at the higher levels of vine density.

The vineyard of Chateau La Tour Figeac has been 100% biodynamically farmed since 1997.

To produce the wine of Chateau La Tour Figeac, the grapes are whole berry fermented in a combination of stainless steel and open-top, large, oak tanks with a 30-day cuvaison. Microbullage is performed under the cap. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels. The wine is aged in 50% new French oak barrels for an average of 18 months with the wine aging on its lees for a portion of that time. A portion of the grapes are whole-bunch vinified, meaning the fruits and stems are vinified together.

The best vintages of Chateau La Tour Figeac are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

There is a second wine, L’Esquisse de La Tour Figeac. Stephane Derenoncourt consults the estate and his charming wife, Christine Derenoncourt, is the director of Chateau La Tour Figeac. In 2000, Chateau La Tour Figeac produced an experimental 100% Merlot wine that was never made again.

When to Drink Chateau La Tour Figeac, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau La Tour Figeac needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1-2 hours. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau La Tour Figeac is usually better with at least 5-7 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau La Tour Figeac offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 6-20 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau La Tour Figeac with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau La Tour Figeac is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Chateau La Tour Figeac is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau La Tour Figeac is also good when matched with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

Château La Tour Figeac Wine Tasting Notes

18 Vintages 86,250 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2023
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
93
Spring flowers, cherries, plums, licorice, and a hint of espresso get the wine going. Medium-bodied, soft, silky, fresh, and creamy, the red fruits with their spicy accents express a nice sense of purity on the mid-palate, that carries through to the finish, where you also find a refreshing salty, licorice nuance. The wine blends 65% Merlot, with 35% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2027-2042. 92-94 Pts.

Spring flowers, cherries, plums, licorice, and a hint of espresso get the wine going. Medium-bodied, soft, silky, fresh, and creamy, the red fruits with their spicy accents express a nice sense of purity on the mid-palate, that carries through to the finish, where you also find a refreshing salty, licorice nuance. The wine blends 65% Merlot, with 35% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2027-2042. 92-94 Pts.

1,158 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
2022
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
94
Quite floral in nature, the wine is elegant, fresh, soft, and silky. The fruits are vibrant, fresh, and supple, finishing with black plums, espresso, chocolate, and minty nuances. Drink from 2025-2045. 93-95 Pts.

Quite floral in nature, the wine is elegant, fresh, soft, and silky. The fruits are vibrant, fresh, and supple, finishing with black plums, espresso, chocolate, and minty nuances. Drink from 2025-2045. 93-95 Pts.

2,528 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
2021
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
92
Flowers, cocoa, red fruits, herbs and a light dash of spice that hides in the background of the nose. Medium-bodied, soft, and fresh, with sweetness and energy to the fruits on the palate that delivers all the way through to the finish. Drink from 2024-2036.

Flowers, cocoa, red fruits, herbs and a light dash of spice that hides in the background of the nose. Medium-bodied, soft, and fresh, with sweetness and energy to the fruits on the palate that delivers all the way through to the finish. Drink from 2024-2036.

534 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
Medium-bodied, soft, vibrant red fruits, flowers and touches of cocoa, coffee beans, licorice, herbs and cherries are in the nose and on the mid-palate here, finishing with sweet, ripe, bright, energetic, sweet cherries, red plums, and dark cocoa. Drink from 2023-2038. 92-94

Medium-bodied, soft, vibrant red fruits, flowers and touches of cocoa, coffee beans, licorice, herbs and cherries are in the nose and on the mid-palate here, finishing with sweet, ripe, bright, energetic, sweet cherries, red plums, and dark cocoa. Drink from 2023-2038. 92-94

1,429 Views   Tasted
2020
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
93
Flowers, licorice, and smoke with fresh red berries create the nose. On the palate, the wine is elegant, silky and fresh, as well as supple, long and packed with dark chocolate, black cherries, espresso and licorice, there is length and refinement here. Drink from 2023-2040.

Flowers, licorice, and smoke with fresh red berries create the nose. On the palate, the wine is elegant, silky and fresh, as well as supple, long and packed with dark chocolate, black cherries, espresso and licorice, there is length and refinement here. Drink from 2023-2040.

1,338 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
Quite floral in nature, the medium-bodied wine presents its refined take on black raspberries, cocoa, plum, smoke, spice and licorice. Silky, polished, fresh, and elegant, this is top vintage for La Tour Figeac. 92-94 Pts

Quite floral in nature, the medium-bodied wine presents its refined take on black raspberries, cocoa, plum, smoke, spice and licorice. Silky, polished, fresh, and elegant, this is top vintage for La Tour Figeac. 92-94 Pts

1,859 Views   Tasted
2019
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
92
Fresh, fruity, silky, soft and refined, the wine expresses a beautiful sense of purity on the nose and palate as well as poise and grace. The elegant finish caps everything off nicely. Drink from 2022-2034.

Fresh, fruity, silky, soft and refined, the wine expresses a beautiful sense of purity on the nose and palate as well as poise and grace. The elegant finish caps everything off nicely. Drink from 2022-2034.

3,282 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
Flowers and cherries in the nose come out easily before encountering the fresh, lifted red berries, minerality and cocoa notes in the soft, polished, silky, medium-bodied finish. 90-92 Pts

Flowers and cherries in the nose come out easily before encountering the fresh, lifted red berries, minerality and cocoa notes in the soft, polished, silky, medium-bodied finish. 90-92 Pts

2,926 Views   Tasted
2018
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
93
Silky, sexy, fresh and vibrant, with a great core of elegantly textured fruits. The wine is aromatic, refined and with a beautiful sense of purity, lengthy and character. This is showing much better in bottle than in barrel, which is always something you want to see.

Silky, sexy, fresh and vibrant, with a great core of elegantly textured fruits. The wine is aromatic, refined and with a beautiful sense of purity, lengthy and character. This is showing much better in bottle than in barrel, which is always something you want to see.

1,692 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
Licorice, smoke, flowers and cherry aromatics are right there when you want them. Medium bodied, silky and juicy, the red fruits are ripe, pure, polished and fresh. 90-92 Pts

Licorice, smoke, flowers and cherry aromatics are right there when you want them. Medium bodied, silky and juicy, the red fruits are ripe, pure, polished and fresh. 90-92 Pts

2,605 Views   Tasted
2017
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
91
Forward, fruity, fresh, medium-bodied, elegant, lifted plums, cherries, licorice, espresso, and cocoa with hints of flowers come through easily on the nose and refined, silky palate.

Forward, fruity, fresh, medium-bodied, elegant, lifted plums, cherries, licorice, espresso, and cocoa with hints of flowers come through easily on the nose and refined, silky palate.

1,867 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
2016
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
92
Smoky black cherry, licorice, espresso and earth work perfectly with the fresh, ripe, sweet, plums and cherries. Medium-bodied and finesse driven, this is quite the charmer.

Smoky black cherry, licorice, espresso and earth work perfectly with the fresh, ripe, sweet, plums and cherries. Medium-bodied and finesse driven, this is quite the charmer.

2,398 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
Silky soft and polished, this wine is medium bodied and elegantly styled with supple textures. The finish shows ripe, dark red pit fruits, earth, cocoa and thyme.

Silky soft and polished, this wine is medium bodied and elegantly styled with supple textures. The finish shows ripe, dark red pit fruits, earth, cocoa and thyme.

2,814 Views   Tasted
2015
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
92
Here's a wine that keeps getting better and better as it ages in bottle. The truffle and floral notes get you going. But perhaps it's the silky, fresh, ripe, sweet, plums and cherries that is the best part. Elegant and classy, this is quite the charmer.

Here's a wine that keeps getting better and better as it ages in bottle. The truffle and floral notes get you going. But perhaps it's the silky, fresh, ripe, sweet, plums and cherries that is the best part. Elegant and classy, this is quite the charmer.

3,767 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
The floral and light truffle notes that accompany the ripe, plum and cherry fruits really stand out. Medium/full bodied, silky, elegant and fresh, the wine ends with polished, sweet, juicy plums and cherries with a touch of licorice in the finish. This turned out better in bottle than in barrel, which is always a good sign.

The floral and light truffle notes that accompany the ripe, plum and cherry fruits really stand out. Medium/full bodied, silky, elegant and fresh, the wine ends with polished, sweet, juicy plums and cherries with a touch of licorice in the finish. This turned out better in bottle than in barrel, which is always a good sign.

2,590 Views   Tasted
Elegant in all the right ways, combined with freshness, thyme, smoke and ripe, red fruits blended with black plums, this wine serves up a soft, sweet, silky, medium bodied, finesse styled, cherry finish.

Elegant in all the right ways, combined with freshness, thyme, smoke and ripe, red fruits blended with black plums, this wine serves up a soft, sweet, silky, medium bodied, finesse styled, cherry finish.

2,068 Views   Tasted
2014
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
89
Sweet cherries, earth and stone with fresh picked flowers on the nose, this medium bodied wine has a soft, sweet, cherry finish. 88-90 Pts

Sweet cherries, earth and stone with fresh picked flowers on the nose, this medium bodied wine has a soft, sweet, cherry finish. 88-90 Pts

4,564 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
2013
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
89
Ruby in color with a kiss of oak, earth, herbs and black raspberries, the wine is medium bodied with sweet dark cherries and chocolate in the finish. Finesse in style, drink this young for the fruit. From a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The yields were 20 hectoliters per hectare, with the Grand Vin made from 50% of the harvest. The wine is aging in 50% new oak. 89-91 Pts

Ruby in color with a kiss of oak, earth, herbs and black raspberries, the wine is medium bodied with sweet dark cherries and chocolate in the finish. Finesse in style, drink this young for the fruit. From a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The yields were 20 hectoliters per hectare, with the Grand Vin made from 50% of the harvest. The wine is aging in 50% new oak. 89-91 Pts

2,880 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
2012
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
90
Medium bodied, fresh, dark cherry and plum dominated wine with licorice and earth was made in an open style that will drink well young.

Medium bodied, fresh, dark cherry and plum dominated wine with licorice and earth was made in an open style that will drink well young.

3,403 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
Deep in color, with stone, coffee, licorice and black raspberries, the wine is soft in texture with ripe and over ripe cherries in the oaky finish. 88-90 Pts

Deep in color, with stone, coffee, licorice and black raspberries, the wine is soft in texture with ripe and over ripe cherries in the oaky finish. 88-90 Pts

3,706 Views   Tasted
2011
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
90
From a blend of 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14.4% ABV. With, flowers, stone, licorice and red berries, the wine offers round, supple textures and a soft cherry finish. 90-91 Pts

From a blend of 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14.4% ABV. With, flowers, stone, licorice and red berries, the wine offers round, supple textures and a soft cherry finish. 90-91 Pts

5,665 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
2010
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
92
2010 La Tour Figeac is made by Christine Derenoncourt, the wife of Stephane Derenoncourt. In 2010, the apple does not fall far from the tree with this wine 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc blend. Licorice, spice, jammy black cherry aromas open to a suave, lush, fennel, spice and ripe dark berry finish. 91-93

2010 La Tour Figeac is made by Christine Derenoncourt, the wife of Stephane Derenoncourt. In 2010, the apple does not fall far from the tree with this wine 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc blend. Licorice, spice, jammy black cherry aromas open to a suave, lush, fennel, spice and ripe dark berry finish. 91-93

5,605 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
2009
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
92
Truffle, spice, mushroom, black pepper, jammy blackberries, full bodied, filled with ripe dark fruit, round tannins and a soft, plush, red and black fruit filled finish.

Truffle, spice, mushroom, black pepper, jammy blackberries, full bodied, filled with ripe dark fruit, round tannins and a soft, plush, red and black fruit filled finish.

5,713 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
2009 La Tour Figeac is made by Christine Derenoncourt. Soils are a mix of gravel and sandy clay atop a subsoil of rich clay. This estate is biodynamically farmed. The La Tour Figeac, 78% merlot and the rest cabernet franc, expresses mineral, floral, and jammy berry notes in its perfume. This fleshy, round textured wine ends with spicy berry and anise flavors. 89-91 Pts

2009 La Tour Figeac is made by Christine Derenoncourt. Soils are a mix of gravel and sandy clay atop a subsoil of rich clay. This estate is biodynamically farmed. The La Tour Figeac, 78% merlot and the rest cabernet franc, expresses mineral, floral, and jammy berry notes in its perfume. This fleshy, round textured wine ends with spicy berry and anise flavors. 89-91 Pts

4,990 Views   Tasted
2008
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
89
08 Château La Tour Figeac is a treat, with its juicy style and ample black cherry, plum, and licorice personality. The opulent texture adds to the experience. It should drink well young. 88-90 Pts

08 Château La Tour Figeac is a treat, with its juicy style and ample black cherry, plum, and licorice personality. The opulent texture adds to the experience. It should drink well young. 88-90 Pts

5,405 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
2005
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
91
The entry is plush, rich and soft. Aromatics were enough to keep me interested, but, I'd like to see this wine in another 5 years to learn how well the oak bonded with the wine.

The entry is plush, rich and soft. Aromatics were enough to keep me interested, but, I'd like to see this wine in another 5 years to learn how well the oak bonded with the wine.

6,446 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider
2000
Château La Tour Figeac  (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
91
Fully mature, the wine is medium bodied and on the elegant, finesse side of the style range, focusing on its floral, cherry pipe tobacco, thyme and truffle nose. Soft, ripe, cherries are all over the finish. There is no need to age this further. The wine was produced from blending 60% Merlot with 40% Cabernet Franc.

Fully mature, the wine is medium bodied and on the elegant, finesse side of the style range, focusing on its floral, cherry pipe tobacco, thyme and truffle nose. Soft, ripe, cherries are all over the finish. There is no need to age this further. The wine was produced from blending 60% Merlot with 40% Cabernet Franc.

3,018 Views   Tasted
 • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE
| Post to The WineCellar Insider