Chateau Chasse Spleen 2015

Chateau Chasse-Spleen, along with Chateau Poujeaux, is the leading Moulis estate. Although it is only categorized as a Cru Bourgeois, it consistently surpasses many of Medoc's more well-known classed growths. There are two theories behind the chateau's peculiar name: the first is that when Lord Byron visited the estate in 1821, he remarked, `Quel remède pour chasser le spleen.` Second, it is named after the poem 'Spleen' by Charles Baudelaire.

The wines of Chasse-Spleen have always been notable, but their quality rose substantially after the Taillan Group purchased it in 1976, which also owns Chateau Haut-Bages-Liberal. Bernadette Villars ran it until she and her husband died in an accident while hiking in the Pyrénées in 1992. Claire, her daughter, now manages the property.

Chasse-Spleen's wine is a blend of 65 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 percent Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. It is aged 18 months in oak barriques (40 percent new) before being bottled unfiltered. On the palate, Chasse-Spleen wines are often dark in colour and full-bodied, with plenty of rich black fruit, minerality, and traces of chocolate.

94 Points - James Suckling     

This delivers a stylish impression from the get-go with a nicely focused dark berry nose and hints of fresh pastry. The palate has a smooth array of bright blackberry and plum fruits with smoothly cut tannins that layer up nice and even. Classy. Best from 2022.

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast     

The pure red-fruit flavours of this wine shoot through the firm tannins to give freshness while allowing plenty of space for developing the tannins. It is a wine that shows the vintage's fruit and structure. 

92 Points - Wine Spectator     

Enticing, with a tangy iron note to the fresh red currant and bitter cherry fruit flavours, followed by a lingering sanguine edge on the pleasantly dusty finish.