Chateau Yon-Figeac St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

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

Chateau Yon Figeac History, Overview

Chateau Yon-Figeac dates back to the summer of June 1881. As you can imagine from the name, Yon-Figeac was once a part of the massive Chateau Figeac estate, which gave birth to numerous St. Emilion estates that now bear the name of Figeac, as part of their name.

Chateau Yon-Figeac is owned  Alain Castle who also owns property in the Loire Valley region. Alain Castle purchased Chateau Yon-Figeac in 2005 from the Germain family who owned the vineyard since 1985 when it was purchased by Bernard Germain.

Chateau Yon Figeac Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 25 hectare St. Emilion vineyard of Chateau Yon-Figeac is planted to 86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Yon Figeac has the distinction of being one of the largest vineyards in the Right Bank that is in one, large single parcel.

The terroir is sand, clay, and iron deposits. The vines are old at an average age of 35 years of age.

Once the new owners took over, they began to add some Petit Verdot vines to the vineyard mix and increased the amount of Merlot as well, while decreasing the portion of Cabernet Franc.

To produce the wine of Chateau Yon-Figeac, vinification takes place in temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats. On average, the wines are aged in 35% new, French oak barrels for between 12 to 14 months, depending on the quality and character of the vintage.

The best vintages of Chateau Yon Figeac are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009 and 2005. Though I recently had a beautiful bottle of 1959, so older vintages from the best years might be worth taking a chance on, if well stored.

Chateau Yon-Figeac produces close to 7,500 cases of wine per year. There is a second wine, Les Roches de Yon-Figeac. While it’s common in Bordeaux to produce a second wine, Yon-Figeac is one of the few estates in the Right Bank that also produce a third St. Emilion wine as well, Yon Saint Martin.

When to Drink Chateau Yon Figeac, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Yon Figeac can be enjoyed on the young side with an hour or so of decanting. However, the wine is usually better at 2-4 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character.

In the best years, the wine will best between 10-15 years of age after the vintage. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 hour or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Serving Chateau Yon Figeac with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Yon 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 Yon 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 Yon Figeac is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

www.vignobles-alainchateau.com

Château Yon-Figeac Wine Tasting Notes

16 Vintages 59,038 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2023
90
Cherry blossoms, licorice, and cocoa come together nicely in the nose, and on the medium-bodied, soft, fresh, chewy, palate, finishing with a touch of salt on the cherries, and licorice on the backend. Drink from 2026-2036. 89-91 Pts.

Cherry blossoms, licorice, and cocoa come together nicely in the nose, and on the medium-bodied, soft, fresh, chewy, palate, finishing with a touch of salt on the cherries, and licorice on the backend. Drink from 2026-2036. 89-91 Pts.

800 Views   Tasted
2022
90
Flowers and cherries blend together to form the core of this medium-bodied, early-drinking, silky, fresh wine. A bit light, but still charming. Drink from 2026-2035. 89-91 Pts.

Flowers and cherries blend together to form the core of this medium-bodied, early-drinking, silky, fresh wine. A bit light, but still charming. Drink from 2026-2035. 89-91 Pts.

2,460 Views   Tasted
2021
86
Light, bright and floral with a strong, savory and spearmint edge to the red fruits in the nose and on the medium-bodied palate. Drink from 2024-2030.

Light, bright and floral with a strong, savory and spearmint edge to the red fruits in the nose and on the medium-bodied palate. Drink from 2024-2030.

750 Views   Tasted
Light in color and fruit, the wine offers hints of bright red cherries, herbs and underbrush on the nose and palate. This will be best in its youth to capture the light, red cherry and strawberries in the finish. Drink from 2023-2027. 85-87

Light in color and fruit, the wine offers hints of bright red cherries, herbs and underbrush on the nose and palate. This will be best in its youth to capture the light, red cherry and strawberries in the finish. Drink from 2023-2027. 85-87

1,735 Views   Tasted
2020
90
Medium-bodied with a bit too much oak in the nose. Still, there is a lot to like here with all of its ripe, vibrant, sweet cherries, plums and dark chocolate that are on full-display in the round-textured, fruity finish. This is a nice step up from previous vintages, which is nice to see. Drink from 2023-2037.

Medium-bodied with a bit too much oak in the nose. Still, there is a lot to like here with all of its ripe, vibrant, sweet cherries, plums and dark chocolate that are on full-display in the round-textured, fruity finish. This is a nice step up from previous vintages, which is nice to see. Drink from 2023-2037.

1,914 Views   Tasted
Black cherries, espresso and licorice with earthy nuances come through on the nose. Medium-bodied with dusty plums, oak, green olives, and herbs are found on the medium-bodied palate and in the finish. You can drink this on the young side. 88-90 Pts

Black cherries, espresso and licorice with earthy nuances come through on the nose. Medium-bodied with dusty plums, oak, green olives, and herbs are found on the medium-bodied palate and in the finish. You can drink this on the young side. 88-90 Pts

2,771 Views   Tasted
2019
89
White flowers, red fruits and a touch of herbs work in harmony on the nose and palate of this medium-bodied, soft, fresh, forward, accessible wine. You can enjoy this charmer on release for all of its sweet, elegant, savory red berries. Drink from 2022-2032.

White flowers, red fruits and a touch of herbs work in harmony on the nose and palate of this medium-bodied, soft, fresh, forward, accessible wine. You can enjoy this charmer on release for all of its sweet, elegant, savory red berries. Drink from 2022-2032.

2,626 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied, soft, fresh and fruity with a nice, cherry and cocoa energetic mid-palate and finish that will drink well early. 88-90 Pts

Medium-bodied, soft, fresh and fruity with a nice, cherry and cocoa energetic mid-palate and finish that will drink well early. 88-90 Pts

3,186 Views   Tasted
2018
86
Herbs, olives, forest leaf and red berries are fond on the nose and on the palate of this early drinking, medium-bodied, his soft, early-maturing, medium-bodied, lighter-styled red wine. This will be best in its youth.

Herbs, olives, forest leaf and red berries are fond on the nose and on the palate of this early drinking, medium-bodied, his soft, early-maturing, medium-bodied, lighter-styled red wine. This will be best in its youth.

3,303 Views   Tasted
This soft, early-maturing, medium-bodied wine is focused on a licorice, herb-accented, earthy, red berry essence and a finesse styling in the finish. 85-87 Pts

This soft, early-maturing, medium-bodied wine is focused on a licorice, herb-accented, earthy, red berry essence and a finesse styling in the finish. 85-87 Pts

3,077 Views   Tasted
2016
88
Medium bodied, soft, red plum and cherry fruits with a forward approach.

Medium bodied, soft, red plum and cherry fruits with a forward approach.

3,248 Views   Tasted
2015
88
Medium-bodied, with a bright, fresh red berry attitude, that is ready to drink on release.

Medium-bodied, with a bright, fresh red berry attitude, that is ready to drink on release.

3,527 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied with fresh, bright, red fruits and herbs, the wine is forward, fresh and open for business with its sweet red cherry charm already delivering its goods.

Medium-bodied with fresh, bright, red fruits and herbs, the wine is forward, fresh and open for business with its sweet red cherry charm already delivering its goods.

2,614 Views   Tasted
With an herbal and earthy character to the fresh, bright, red fruits, the wine is soft, medium bodied and forward. The lighter styled wine should drink well quite early.

With an herbal and earthy character to the fresh, bright, red fruits, the wine is soft, medium bodied and forward. The lighter styled wine should drink well quite early.

2,560 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied with saline tannins, this wine, with its fresh, red fruits and thyme, is going to be nice to drink on the early side.

Medium-bodied with saline tannins, this wine, with its fresh, red fruits and thyme, is going to be nice to drink on the early side.

2,341 Views   Tasted
2014
84
A light, easy-drinking wine dominated by crisp red fruits and produced in crowd-pleasing style for early consumption. 83-85 Pts

A light, easy-drinking wine dominated by crisp red fruits and produced in crowd-pleasing style for early consumption. 83-85 Pts

3,344 Views   Tasted
2013
82
Light in color and character, the wine focuses on the fruits’ slender, bright character. 82-83 Pts

Light in color and character, the wine focuses on the fruits’ slender, bright character. 82-83 Pts

2,398 Views   Tasted
2012
88
Medium bodied, fresh, easy drinking Right Bank wine with soft textures and ripe fruits for early drinking pleasure. The wine was produced from a blend of 83% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot.

Medium bodied, fresh, easy drinking Right Bank wine with soft textures and ripe fruits for early drinking pleasure. The wine was produced from a blend of 83% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot.

2,774 Views   Tasted
2011
83
Light ruby in color, medium bodied, with a nose of fennel, herbs and bright red berries. This light wine should be consumed in its youth.

Light ruby in color, medium bodied, with a nose of fennel, herbs and bright red berries. This light wine should be consumed in its youth.

2,821 Views   Tasted
2010
89
Medium bodied, soft textured, fresh, spicy, melange of ripe cherries, black raspberries and plum, with a hint of earthy complexities that are just starting to show.

Medium bodied, soft textured, fresh, spicy, melange of ripe cherries, black raspberries and plum, with a hint of earthy complexities that are just starting to show.

2,614 Views   Tasted
2009
89
Medium-bodied, elegant, finesse-styled, round, soft, black cherry filled charmer with notes of thyme, earth and plums in the finish. This is ready to go.

Medium-bodied, elegant, finesse-styled, round, soft, black cherry filled charmer with notes of thyme, earth and plums in the finish. This is ready to go.

2,276 Views   Tasted
2005
90
Ready to go, the wine is medium bodied, silky, fresh, offering a nice blend of cocoa, black with red cherry, plum and earthy characteristics, that kicks in with a judicious dash of thyme in the soft textured finish. The wine was made from blending 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc.

Ready to go, the wine is medium bodied, silky, fresh, offering a nice blend of cocoa, black with red cherry, plum and earthy characteristics, that kicks in with a judicious dash of thyme in the soft textured finish. The wine was made from blending 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc.

3,915 Views   Tasted
1959
90
Served blind, I was knocked out once the label was revealed as this was showing just great. Lighter in style and body, there was more than enough red cherries, coffee grounds, truffle and dried flowers to make this interesting. The tannins were soft and polished, leaving you with herbs, olives and red plums in the finish.

Served blind, I was knocked out once the label was revealed as this was showing just great. Lighter in style and body, there was more than enough red cherries, coffee grounds, truffle and dried flowers to make this interesting. The tannins were soft and polished, leaving you with herbs, olives and red plums in the finish.

1,984 Views   Tasted