Chasse Spleen

History of Château Chasse-Spleen

The poetically named Château Chasse-Spleen, whose origins trace back to the 18th century, was originally part of a vast estate known as Château Grand-Poujeaux, which was divided in 1822. This division gave rise to several great estates in the region, including Château Gressier-Grand-Poujeaux and the celebrated Château Chasse-Spleen. The origin of its name remains enigmatic: some say that Lord Byron, during his 1821 visit, found it a “remedy to chase away the spleen,” while others attribute the name to French poet Charles Baudelaire, who also visited the estate.

Château Chasse-Spleen remained under the Castaing family’s ownership until World War I. After changing hands a few times, it was acquired in 1976 by visionary wine merchant Jacques Merlaut. With the help of his daughter Bernadette Villars, Chasse-Spleen’s reputation spread far beyond French borders. Today, the estate is managed by Jacques' granddaughter, Céline Villars-Foubet, who continues to elevate the quality of its wines while preserving the family heritage. Under her direction, strategic acquisitions, such as that of Château Brillette in 2022, have expanded the estate and strengthened its place among the finest Médoc wines.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Chasse-Spleen

Château Chasse-Spleen benefits from an exceptional terroir situated in the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation, atop the heights of Grand Poujeaux. The vineyard, spanning 135 hectares, lies on quaternary gravel soils mixed with clay and limestone, offering a mineral richness ideal for producing great wines. This terroir is distinguished by the diversity of its plots: around 80% of the vineyard consists of gravelly Garonne soils, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, while the rest of the estate lies on clay-limestone soils, enhancing the expression of Merlot.

The grape varieties at Château Chasse-Spleen are finely adapted to this terroir: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. With a high planting density (8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare) and an average vine age of 30 years, the estate maintains a perfect balance between structure and elegance. A small 3-hectare plot is also dedicated to white grape varieties, producing an elegant Bordeaux Blanc under the name Blanc de Chasse-Spleen. This white wine stands out with its delicate aromas and serves as a unique complement to the estate’s signature reds.

Vinifications at Château Chasse-Spleen

Winemaking at Château Chasse-Spleen combines tradition and modernity to ensure impeccable quality. The process begins with manual harvesting, allowing for rigorous selection of grapes at peak maturity. The estate uses a mix of stainless steel vats and wooden vats for fermentation, with temperature control to preserve the freshness and aromatic integrity of the grapes.

The estate is advised by renowned oenologist Jacques Boissenot, whose expertise helps to elevate each vintage. Maceration lasts around a month to extract aromatic depth and tannic richness. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 to 15 months in French oak barrels, about 40% of which are renewed each year. This judicious choice of aging endows Chasse-Spleen wines with complexity and elegance that develop beautifully over time.

The Cuvées of Château Chasse-Spleen

Château Chasse-Spleen offers a range of wines that delight the palate with their richness and finesse.

Château Chasse-Spleen - First Wine

This wine is the flagship of the estate, offering a powerful, full-bodied profile. Dominated by notes of blackcurrant, red fruits, and subtle touches of vanilla, it is distinguished by its velvety tannic structure and lovely length on the palate. Château Chasse-Spleen is a quintessentially age-worthy wine that blossoms wonderfully over the years.

L'Oratoire de Chasse-Spleen - Second Wine

Produced from the estate’s young vines, this wine embodies a more accessible expression of Chasse-Spleen. Less structured than the first wine, L'Oratoire offers enticing aromas of red fruits and mild spices, with soft tannins and lovely freshness. It can be enjoyed young, yet also has good aging potential.

L'Héritage de Chasse-Spleen (formerly L'Ermitage)

This second wine, renamed L'Héritage since the 2001 vintage, reflects the Médoc terroir while being more immediate and indulgent. It is perfect for those who wish to discover the Chasse-Spleen style without waiting many years.

Blanc de Chasse-Spleen

This white wine, produced in limited quantities, is made from Sémillon (65%) and Sauvignon Blanc (35%). With aromas of acacia honey, yellow fruits, and aromatic herbs, it offers a lively acidity and a perfect balance between freshness and roundness. Due to appellation restrictions, it is marketed as a generic Bordeaux Blanc, yet it stands out for its quality and elegance.

The best-known Moulis wines are Châteaux Chasse Spleen, Gressier Grand Poujeaux, Maucaillou, Poujeaux...

Moulis-en-Médoc, one of the prestigious appellations of the Bordeaux vineyard, is renowned for producing remarkable wines, particularly during its finest vintages. Among the most notable are emblematic years such as 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990, which have left their mark on fine wine enthusiasts. Other exceptional vintages include 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, each recognised for its balance and depth. More recently, the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 continue this tradition, with particularly elegant and promising wines. These vintages offer an exceptional range of flavours and longevity, reinforcing Bordeaux's reputation as a global reference in wine-making.

Château Chasse-Spleen is an essential reference among Bordeaux's great wines. Its rich history, exceptional terroir, and family expertise have enabled the estate to produce remarkably high-quality wines, known for their power, elegance, and accessibility. Thanks to an innovative and tradition-respectful management, Céline Villars-Foubet and Jean-Pierre Foubet continue to uphold Chasse-Spleen’s heritage, with constant attention to quality and respect for the terroir.

Don't forget the other great estates and chateaux of Bordeaux such as our great Bordeaux White, with Yquem, the wolrd's most famous Sauternes !