Moulis-en-Médoc château where Garonne gravels meet limestone beneath Cabernet Sauvignon led red Bordeaux.
The producer
Château Chasse-Spleen is a Moulis-en-Médoc château within Haut-Médoc, producing red Bordeaux from vineyards where Garonne gravels meet limestone substrate. Its range includes Château Chasse-Spleen and Héritage de Chasse-Spleen, confirmed as the second wine. Leadership has included Bernadette Villars, Claire and Céline Villars-Foubet. The château also has an art center and Société à Mission status. The 2023 wine uses Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
Known for
Gravel and limestone red Bordeaux
Notable facts
The vineyard terroir combines Garonne gravels with limestone substrate.
The 2023 Château Chasse-Spleen blend is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc.
The 2023 vintage has a dark garnet color with purple highlights.
The story
A Painter Names Chasse-Spleen
In 1863, painter Odilon Redon was credited with suggesting the name Chasse-Spleen for the château. Lord Byron's passage through France and Charles Baudelaire's visits have also been connected with the name's romantic origin, but Redon is the painter credited with proposing it. The château later opened an art center and became a Société à Mission. Its history includes Redon's naming suggestion, the art center and the later change in company status alongside its wine production at the property.
From the atlas
Château Chasse-Spleen
A Moulis-en-Médoc château rooted in Garonne gravels and limestone, with a red Bordeaux range led by Château Chasse-Spleen.
At A Glance
Appellation
Moulis-en-Médoc, within Haut-Médoc
Wine
Red Bordeaux
Named wine
Château Chasse-Spleen
Second wine
Héritage de Chasse-Spleen
Defining site
Garonne gravels with limestone substrate
The Producer
Château Chasse-Spleen is a Moulis-en-Médoc château within Haut-Médoc, producing red Bordeaux. Bernadette Villars began stewardship in 1976, Claire followed in 1992, and Céline Villars-Foubet is currently named as the estate's president. The château has an art center and Société à Mission status alongside its wine production.
Place
Moulis-en-Médoc is a sub-appellation of Haut-Médoc. The vineyard ground combines Garonne gravels with limestone substrate. Gravel allows rain to drain quickly and warms readily, while cracks in limestone can hold water during dry periods. For Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, those conditions support ripening without leaving the vines on either waterlogged or entirely dry soil.
Wines
The range includes Château Chasse-Spleen and Héritage de Chasse-Spleen, the latter confirmed as the second wine. The 2023 Château Chasse-Spleen contains 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc.
The vintage is dark garnet with purple highlights. It is medium bodied, with floral and savory notes over brilliant red toned fruit. Soft tannins have a fine, enveloping grain, and the finish is lively, aromatic, persistent, fragrant and iodized.
Final Word
Château Chasse-Spleen is Moulis-en-Médoc red Bordeaux from vineyards where Garonne gravels meet limestone, with Château Chasse-Spleen and Héritage de Chasse-Spleen occupying distinct places in the range.