Château Chasse-Spleen 2014

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The Chasse-Spleen vineyard remains legendary, perched on the Grand-Poujeaux plateau with its Garonne gravel soils, where Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, giving the wines a distinct Médoc character. It is undoubtedly one of Moulis’s most renowned wines, one that one often imagines would be classified given the quality of its wines. These wines have a distinctive character, both fruity and spicy, yet always retaining a licorice-like freshness on the finish.

Decanter

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A remarkable example of the 2014 vintage, crafted from a balanced blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. The deep, brilliant color is full of promise, as is the emerging bouquet, featuring black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry, elderberry), nuanced by floral notes and hints of spice, vanilla, and toast (mocha) from the aging process. In harmony with the oak, the fruit expresses itself with precision and persistence on the palate, which is solidly structured by tight, silky tannins. A bottle that deserves a spot in the cellar.

About the estate:

The first premier cru acquired by Jacques Merlaut (1976), co-founder of the Taillan Group, Chasse-Spleen owes its fame in part to its name, which is said to have been suggested to the owner at the time by the Bordeaux painter Odilon Redon, illustrator of *Les Fleurs du Mal*, or by Lord Byron, a lover of the estate’s wine, “which is unrivaled in dispelling dark thoughts”... But the fame of this vast estate (102 ha) also, and above all, stems from the long history of its winemaking tradition (1865) and the quality of its wines, born from a terroir of Garonne gravel. The estate also owns 21 hectares in the Haut-Médoc appellation. The wine was called Ermitage de Chasse Spleen until 2000, before being renamed L’Héritage de Chasse-Spleen. At the helm of the entire estate since 2000 is Céline Villars-Foubet, granddaughter of Jacques Merlaut.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2014 Chasse-Spleen reveals a charming bouquet, much more powerful than I expected, brimming with wild red berries, toasted bread, and spicy notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with supple tannins, a touch of acidity, and good volume. It may not have the freshness and precision I anticipated after the en primeur tasting, though I appreciate the notes of tart marmalade, which complement the dark fruit on the finish. One to watch.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

It opens gently, revealing lovely fruit notes that are both smooth and tangy; the whole is well-balanced and possesses the elegance one would expect from this vintage.

About the estate:

This wine enjoys an excellent reputation—one that is well deserved. Chasse-Spleen boasts a beautiful terroir, located largely on the magnificent gravel soils of the Grand Poujeaux area. Its rich structure and powerful aromas place it at the forefront of the appellation, producing wines that are consistently elegant and easy to drink, avoiding the sometimes somewhat rustic character found in the region.

Wine Enthusiast

Jancis Robinson

James Suckling

About the wine:

A very elegant, fresh, and classic wine with plenty of energy and a lingering finish, showcasing a distinct mineral character. Great aging potential. It should be allowed to rest in the bottle for another three years. The true Chasse-Spleen is here!