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Chateau Chasse-Spleen is a wine estate located in the Moulis-en-Medoc appellation of Bordeaux, located on the “Route des Chateaux” just to the north-west of Margaux. The estate covers some 130 hectares and is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and a little Cabernet Franc. It is considered to produce some of the best Moulis-en-Medoc red wines.
Records of viticulture at the estate stretch back as far as 1560. The estate has a complicated history. An early estate named Grand-Poujeaux would eventually split in the 1860s, due to inheritance laws, into Châteaux Chasse-Spleen, Maucaillou and Poujeaux. The Merlaut family, the most recent owners of the estate, acquired it in 1976. The family owns various wine estates, including Chateau Gruaud-Larose and Haut-Bages-Libéral. The company also has interests in Canada (Oosoyos Larose), Corbieres, China and Morocco. Today, the estate is run by Jacques Merlaut’s granddaughter Céline Villars-Foubet. Most recently, in 2023, they acquired the neighbouring estate of Chateau Brillette with its gravel soils and large pebbles.
Although classified as six Crus Exceptionnels in the Cru Bourgeois classification of 1932, after the annulment of the Cru Bourgeois system in 2003, Château Chasse-Spleen has never felt the need to rejoin and prefers to work on its own terms. They remain highly-regarded. Indeed, in his book Bordeaux: A Comprehensive Guide to Wines Produced, Robert Parker said, “Chasse-Spleen has always produced high-quality wines, which, for the last thirty years, have been worthy of a Third Growth Grand Cru.”
The vineyards are planted mainly on Garonne gravel over chalk, with around a fifth on chalky clay. The soils are remarkably well-draining, and the site is well-exposed to the warm summer sun. The vineyard is planted with 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. The estate also has 5 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon vines planted for the white wine, Blanc de Chasse-Spleen.
Château Chasse-Spleen 2019 tasting notes:
Nose: Subtle hints of vanilla intertwine with deep, expressive aromas of cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, and delicate notes of old rose.
Palate: An ample and broad attack, delivering a voluminous and supple mouthfeel. Velvety tannins provide structure, with a distinct influence of new wood at this stage. Long, persistent finish.
Pairs beautifully with roasted lamb, grilled streak or mature cheeses.
