Tasted at the Chateau Figeac vertical at the property. The 1950 Chateau Figeac is simply a magnificent wine from a brilliant Right Bank vintage. Provenance played a part here, since it came from a magnum directly from the chateau's cellars. Dating before the 1956 frosts, it would have contained some Malbec and Petit Verdot; according to proprietor Marie-France Manoncourt, it was apparently undrinkable for the first 20 years. It is remarkably deep in color. The nose is otherworldly with black fruit, melted tar, wild heather and a smudge of salted licorice. There is wondrous delineation of aromas, yet something serious, a nose with gravitas. The palate is medium-bodied, burly and powerful, regal almost with a distinctly Left Bank, graphite tinge to the note. Maybe more foursquare than the 1949 Figeac and yet demanding respect from very first sip, this is Saint Emilion at its best. Tasted June 2015.