Site and soils
Château Croix Figeac, also known as Château La Croix Figeac, was located in the Figeac sector of Saint-Émilion in Bordeaux, near Château Figeac and Château Cheval Blanc. The estate included, among other parcels, plots in Lamarzelle, adjoining Château Figeac. The vineyards stood on well-drained sandy alluvial soils with gravel, as well as layers containing clay and limestone; for the Figeac sector, old sands over clay and gravel were also described.
Viticulture
The vineyard area comprised around 11.1 hectares with red grape varieties, whose average age was about 35 years. Harvesting was carried out by hand. The operation was described as working in an ecological manner, or as being geared towards the conversion to organic viticulture. Planting consisted of approximately 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.
Wines and ageing
The wines were assigned to the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation. The main wine was a red Bordeaux blend, made primarily from Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The style was described as balanced and elegant rather than power-focused. For the 2009 vintage, ageing in tanks and barrels is documented; in addition, pre-fermentation, a barrel maturation of about twelve to sixteen months partly in new barrels, as well as fining without filtration were stated.
History of the name
The Dutruilh family owned the estate from 1984, with Jean Dutruilh running it since 2001. In 2006, the name was changed from Rocher Bellevue Figeac to Croix Figeac. From the 2013 vintage onward, the estate previously called Château Croix Figeac bore the name Château Pierre 1er – as a tribute to Pierre Dutruilh.
