Château Chasse-Spleen - Moulis-en-Médoc 2021

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

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

Decanter

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

First 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 unmatched in chasing away dark thoughts"... But the reputation of this vast estate (102 hectares) is also, and above all, due to the long history of its wine-growing tradition (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 since 2000.

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

About wine:

The 2021 vintage is delicious and smooth, with notes of fresh red fruit. With its mellow, supple tannins, it is already very accessible. A wine that is ready to drink now.

About the estate:

This vintage enjoys an excellent reputation, which is well deserved. Chasse-Spleen has a beautiful terroir, located largely on the magnificent gravel soils of the Grand Poujeaux sector. Its rich composition and aromatic power place it at the top of the appellation, with wines that are always elegant and easy to drink, avoiding the sometimes slightly rustic character found in the sector.

Wine Enthusiast

Jancis Robinson

James Suckling

About wine:

Bright red plums, blackcurrants, blueberries, and wet stones with some toasted spices. The palate is smooth and medium-bodied, fruity and imbued with juicy berries. Elegant, fresh, and nuanced. Linear and long, but quite discreet. Needs time to open up. Best after 2025.

Le Figaro vins

About wine:

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

Terre de Vins

About wine:

Strict and reserved, the nose does not reveal itself immediately. It is no exaggeration to say that the wine presents itself with austerity. The palate is straightforward, with a rigorous and focused structure, offering a range of red fruits (redcurrant, raspberry) delicately toasted by aging that is still noticeable at this stage. Very classic.

Vert de Vin

About wine:

The nose is fruity and offers a fine texture, relative intensity, and elegance. There are notes of juicy blackberry, pulpy raspberry, and a lighter hint of bright cherry, combined with subtle touches of violet and discreet hints of fresh blond tobacco, with a subtle hint of almond and cinnamon. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, smoothness, freshness, good definition, elegance, richness, and a lovely finesse in its straightforwardness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackcurrant, cherry and, more subtly, violet, combined with hints of lily, bright berries, zan and a subtle hint of eucalyptus and chocolate. The tannins are precise and mellow. Good length.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About wine:

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