Tasted at Thierry Mamoncourt's 90th birthday lunch at Taillevent in Paris, the 1943 Figeac was made by Thierry Manoncourt while he was studying agronomy in Paris and prior to his wartime service. Still remarkably deep in color, like many of the Figeacs from this period, the nose has moderate intensity, reticent at first but coming from out of nowhere with ten minutes in the glass. Dusty black fruits, antique bureau, a touch of wild mint, undergrowth and iron filings. The palate is foursquare and conservative, yet harmonious and cohesive with just a little volatility in the middle. Just over the hill, but still an impressive wine in a very classic sense of what Saint Emilion should be. Tasted December 2007.