Château Chasse-Spleen - Moulis-en-Médoc 2021

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 estates, 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.

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—it is said—was 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 gloomy thoughts”... But the reputation of this vast estate (102 ha) also—and above all—stems from the long history of its winemaking tradition (dating back to 1865) and the quality of its wines, produced on 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. Céline Villars-Foubet, Jacques Merlaut’s granddaughter, has been at the helm of the entire estate since 2000.

The 2021 vintage is delightful and smooth, with notes of fresh red berries. With its well-integrated, supple tannins, it’s already very approachable. A wine that’s ready to drink now.

This wine enjoys an excellent reputation—one that is well deserved, by the way. 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, while avoiding the sometimes slightly rustic character found in the region.

Vibrant red plums, blackcurrants, blueberries, and wet stones with hints of toasted spices. The palate is smooth and medium-bodied, with a fruity character infused with juicy berries. Elegant, fresh, and nuanced. Linear and long, yet fairly understated. It needs time to reveal itself. Best after 2025.

On the nose, a refined gentleman in a three-piece suit, looking dapper after a visit to the barber. On the palate, woody and herbal notes, like the forest floor in spring—rich and fertile.

Austere and reserved, the nose does not reveal itself immediately. It is no exaggeration to say that the wine comes across as austere. The palate is straightforward, with a rigorous and focused structure, offering a palette of red fruits (red currant, raspberry) subtly enhanced by a toastiness resulting from aging that is still pronounced at this stage. A very classic wine.

The nose is fruity and offers a delicate texture, moderate intensity, and elegance. It reveals notes of juicy blackberry, plump raspberry, and, more subtly, vibrant cherry, combined with delicate hints of violet, subtle hints of fresh blond tobacco, and a hint of almond and cinnamon. The palate is fruity, offering juiciness, smoothness, freshness, good definition, elegance, richness, and a lovely finesse in its structure. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of plump, juicy blackcurrant, cherry, and a hint of violet, combined with hints of lily, bright little berries, and zan, as well as a subtle hint of eucalyptus and chocolate. The tannins are precise and velvety. Good length.

Deep purple color with violet highlights and a black core. An elegant nose with floral notes, blackberries and elderberries, vanilla, subtle roasted notes, and a hint of chocolate. On the palate, the wine is well-structured, medium-bodied, and has excellent length, with subtle spicy notes and juicy fruit that lingers on the finish.