Chateau Chasse Spleen Haut Medoc Moulis Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Chasse Spleen Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, with wine tasting notes and wine-with-food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Chasse Spleen History, Overview

Chateau Chasse Spleen was once part of a much larger Haut Medoc estate that sold its wine under the name of Chateau Grand-Poujeaux. The chateau itself dates its creation to the 1700s.

In 1822, their vineyards were divided as follows; half the property became Chateau Gressier-Grand-Poujeaux and the other half of the estate eventually became the foundation for what would become 3 different Bordeaux estates; Chateau Maucaillou, Chateau Poujeaux-Theil, and of course, Chateau Chasse-Spleen.

There are numerous stories trying to explain the name of Chateau Chasse-Spleen. The best possibilities are poetic. The first version is, the name was inspired by a visit by Lord Byron in 1821. During that visit, Bryon was so moved, he was quoted, “Quel remedy pour chasser le spleen”, which when loosely translated means, “What remedy to remove the spleen?”

The other equally poetic explanation is attributed to the poem Spleen, whose author Charles Baudelaire also visited Chateau Chasse-Spleen.

Chateau Chasse Spleen remained the property of the Castaing family until it was sold just before World War 1 to a German family of wine merchants. After the outbreak of World War I, Chateau Chasse Spleen was confiscated as enemy property and sold at an auction in 1922 to the Lahary family.

Chateau Chasse-Spleen, The Modern Age

The modern era of Chateau Chasse Spleen starts in 1976 when the estate was bought by the Merlaut family. At the time of the purchase, Chasse Spleen owned about 40 hectares of vines. Under the direction of Jacques Merlaut and his daughter, Bernadotte Villars, they expanded their vineyard holdings most recently with the purchase of the neighboring, Moulis vineyard of Chateau Brillette, adding 35-hectares of vines, so that today, Chasse-Spleen is now one of the largest vineyards in the Medoc!

The Merlaut family did more than just increase their holdings. They replanted large sections of the vineyard to increase the vine density. They also updated and modernized their wine-making facilities.

The new owners have also added a touch of artistic whimsy to the estate. When you visit, make sure you see the sculptures in the garden, with its giant ball and even bigger pair of galoshes! They will definitely put a smile on your face.

The Merlaut family owns several other vineyards including; Chateau Gruaud Larose, Chateau Ferriere, Chateau Citran, and Chateau Haut Bages Liberal. They are also very, successful negociants.

After changing careers from teacher to winemaker, the daughter of Jacques Merlaut, Bernadette Villars, and her husband took control of Chateau Chasse-Spleen. With the famous Professor Emile Peynaud, they brought up the quality of the wines of Chateau Chasse-Spleen.

Tragically, she and her husband died in a mountaineering accident in the Pyrenees in 1992. Today the estate is ably managed by her daughter Claire Villars.

The best vintages of Chateau Chasse Spleen are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2000, and 1989. Older vintages can still be good if they were well stored. Chateau Chasse-Spleen, along with Chateau Poujeaux are clearly two of the best Bordeaux wines coming out of the commune of Moulis in Haut Medoc today.

Chateau Chasse Spleen Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The large 135-hectare, Left Bank vineyard of Chateau Chasse Spleen is planted to 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. This shows a major change in the vineyards from what was previously planted with an increase in the Merlot and a decrease in the Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc seems to come and go here, as it was removed and later replanted.

The vines are on average 30 years of age. The terroir is gravel, with clay and chalk soil. However, that varies as they have parcels in several different vineyards spread among the various communes in the appellation. The vineyard is planted to a vine density ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare.

A small 3-hectare portion of vines is planted to 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. The planting of white wine grape varieties took place in 1990. This is for the production of a dry, white Bordeaux wine, Blanc de Chasse-Spleen. Because white wine grapes are not allowed in the Haut Medoc appellation, Blanc de Chasse-Spleen is sold as a generic, AOC Bordeaux Blanc.

Chasse-Spleen is vinified in a combination of stainless steel tanks and wooden vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. The wine of Chasse-Spleen is aged in 40% new, French oak barrels for between 12 and 15 months before bottling.

When to Drink Chateau Chasse-Spleen, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Chasse Spleen needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1-2 hours, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Chasse-Spleen is usually better with at least 6-9 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Chasse Spleen offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 8-15 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Chasse Spleen with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Chasse-Spleen is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine of Chateau Chasse Spleen is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Chasse-Spleen is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.

The estate also makes a small amount of white Bordeaux wine under the name Blanc de Chasse Spleen Blanc. Chateau Chasse Spleen makes two-second wines, L’Ermitage de Chasse-Spleen and L’Oratoire de Chasse Spleen which made their debut in 1982.

Chateau Chasse Spleen produces over 40,000 cases of red Bordeaux wine per vintage. The family also owns vines in the Haut Medoc appellation where they produce a wine called, Heritage de Chasse-Spleen.

www.chasse-spleen.com