Château Chasse-Spleen – Moulis en Medoc AOC 2010
€72.15
| YEAR | 2010 |
|---|---|
| Producer | Château Chasse-Spleen |
| APPELLATION | Moulis en Medoc AOC |
| Grape variety | 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40$ Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot |
| COUNTRY | France |
| REGION | Bordeaux |
| Format | 0,75 lt |
| Drinking Window | |
| Green | Sustainable |
A long history, troubled by generations, wars and changes of ownership. An under-estimated region, the smallest AOC in the Médoc. And a Chateau with a poetic name, out of the rules, which has made quality over name its best business card.
Moulis, just below the more famous Margaux, is the Médoc appellation with the most limited extension. This is also why it has often been off the radar compared to bigger and more powerful names. However, especially in recent years, it has been greatly re-evaluated as a zone of potentially very interesting wines. The soils are gravelly on the surface, not very compact, underlying clay and limestone, rich in nutrients.
The lands of the property have a tradition of viticulture since the 16th century, as part of a larger landholding. At the beginning of the 19th century, however, the property was divided and after years of ownership changes, Chateau Chasse-Spleen saw the light with its current name in 1862, too late to be considered for the classification of “Cru Classés”. In 1932, it was instead included in the selection of “Cru Bourgeois” as “Exceptionel”, before this classification was cancelled in 2007.
In the meantime, the ownership changes continued until the company passed to the Merlaut family in 1976. The daughter, Bernadette Villars, passionate about the property, decided to devote herself full-time to the estate and, with the help of the famous Professor Émile Peynaud, started large investments for the modernization of the cellar, with a raise in the quality of the wines.
Today, with a product of highest quality and a centuries-old history, the company decides to continue its promotion without the support of classifications, with great results.
In addition to the personality of the wines the estate is blessed with the characteristic passion for art, which flows in the veings of the history of this Chateau.
The name of the company itself is a proof of such passion. The name was decided in 1862, in order to participate to the London Exhibition of 1863. The then-owner is inspired by Lord Byron, who spent some time to visit the estate in 1821, by Baudlaire and by the artist and friend of the owner, Odilon Redon, who was at the time illustrating “Les Fleurs du Mal”. The result is a suggestive name: the wine, the land and the beauty of the place are the perfect spell to “chase away the melancholy”.
This wine is the main label of the house (which produces two other, secondary ones, in smaller quantities), Cabernet Sauvignon is certainly the signature of the place, with its elegance and sensuality, Merlot adds amplitude and softness, and finally the Petit Verdot, with its personality, is added to the blend for its tannins and for the characteristic hints of violet and blackberries.
2010, a vintage defined by Steven Spurrier as one of the great ones in Bordeaux, “a modern classic”, is certainly perfect for expressing the characteristics and aging potential of this excellence.
Broad, powerful and elegant, typical expression of 2010, which in Médoc gives wines both ripe and rich, but with a great acid and tannic structure.
Aromas of flowers and berries, velvety and dense texture with aromas of blackberries, complemented by hints of wood.
Perfect to combine with oriental dishes: a rich ramen, hot-pot, but also well seasoned or slightly smoked meat or fish.
16-18 °C
Suggestion to open it about 1 to 2 hours before serving it. And let it breath in the glass as well.
Participation to the HEV classification for the protection of biodiversity, management of plants and of the soil and careful use of water and fertilizing agents.
Fermentation takes place half in stainless steel half in concrete, with pumping over. Aging in barriques for at least 18 months, with racking every 3 months. Final assembly in stainless steel before bottling.
