One of the most famous properties of the Moulis-en-Médoc AOC, Château Chasse-Spleen has acquired the neighboring Château Brillette, creating the largest estate of the appellation.
Credit: Image Château Chasse-Spleen
The acquisition of Château Brillette is Chasse-Spleens second take over this century, after purchasing the plots of Gressier Grand Poujeaux in 2003. After both acquisitions, the estate now consists of 125 hectares of vineyard land, creating the largest property of the appellation.
Château Chasse-Spleen
Château Chasse-Spleen was founded in 1820, and was named Chasse-Spleen in 1863 after either the visit of the famous poet Charles Baudelaire and writer of the poem ‘Spleen’ in 1861, or the visit of Lord Byron in 1821. Who, after tasting the wines, allegedly spoke the words “Quel remède pour chasser le spleen!” (What a cure for melancholy!). In 2000 Céline Villars Foubet, a sister, daughter and granddaughter of key figures in Bordelaise wine, became in charge of Chasse-Spleen and together with her husband and their three sons, has been running the property ever since. These days, the property produces five wines; Château Chasse-Spleen Moulis-en-Médoc, Oratoire de Chasse-Spleen, Héritage de Chasse-Spleen, Blanc de Chasse-Spleen and Gressier Grand Poujeaux.
Moulis-en-Médoc AOC
Moulis-en-Médoc is the smallest of six communal AOC’s in the Haut-Médoc district and the properties here are not Classed Growth. It consists of around 600 hectares of vineyards, but with distinct differences in terroir. The soil consists of a mix of clay, gravel and limestone, making it possible to grow a more diverse array of Bordeaux varieties. Due to the lack of Classed Growth properties, the best estates offer great value, as the wines can be just as structured as any Haut-Médoc.The vineyard holdings of Château Brillette contain a group of plots holding a large amount of gravel on which Cabernet Sauvignon grows very well. Adding these vineyards to the vineyard holdings of Chasse-Spleen, increases the amount of Cabernet holdings up to 60%.
