Château Chasse-Spleen - Magnum 1996
Château Chasse-Spleen is located in the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation of the Bordeaux wine region. The estate was formed in 1820 when the Grand Poujeaux estate was split into two parts: Poujeaux Gressier and Poujeaux-Castaing. The latter was renamed Chasse-Spleen in 1863 following further divisions. The name refers to the quality of the wine and its ability to "dispel the spleen," a phrase reportedly uttered by Lord Byron during his visit to Poujeaux-Castaing in 1821. The estate has also been linked to the French poet Baudelaire, known for his major work, Les Fleurs du Mal, which contains numerous works titled "Spleen." The estate was purchased by Jacques Merlaut in 1976 and has been managed by his granddaughter, Céline Villars , since 2000.
Chasse-Spleen is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot , supplemented with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc depending on the vintage. The wine is aged for 12 to 18 months in French oak barrels, approximately 40% of which are new.
Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc
"Chasse-Spleen 1996 in magnum today displays all the grace of a mature Médoc: the tannins have acquired a patina, the structure is straight but supple, and the aromas oscillate between candied black fruits, cigar box and dried violet."