Château Chasse-Spleen Moulis-en-Médoc Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel 2020 0.375L

Château Chasse-Spleen Moulis-en-Médoc Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel 2020 0.375L, France

Château Chasse-Spleen Moulis-en-Médoc Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel 2020 0.375L is a powerful and refined Bordeaux from one of Moulis' most renowned estates. This half bottle combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc in a ripe, structured style with blackberry, black pepper, candied orange peel, vanilla, and subtle roasted notes. The 2020 vintage boasts concentration, fresh Médoc tension, and the firm yet elegant tannins that make Chasse-Spleen so beloved.

Vineyards and Region

Château Chasse-Spleen is located in Moulis-en-Médoc, an appellation on the Left Bank of Bordeaux between Margaux and Saint-Julien.

Location / Origin: The wine comes from AOC Moulis-en-Médoc. This appellation is known for structured red Bordeaux with ripe black fruit, spice, grip, and a distinct Médoc signature.

Classification: Château Chasse-Spleen holds the status of Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel. This is the highest category within the Cru Bourgeois classification and underlines the strong reputation of this estate within Moulis-en-Médoc.

Soil: The vineyards are situated on gravel over a calcareous clay subsoil and clay over limestone. Gravel provides drainage and heat retention, while clay and limestone contribute to freshness, structure, and depth.

Vintage: 2020 began with abundant rain, followed by a mild start to the year and a warm, dry summer. Late August and early September brought very high temperatures, but the cool subsoil helped Cabernet Sauvignon in particular maintain ripeness and freshness.

Format: This bottle has a capacity of 0.375L. Thus, it is the same Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel wine in a half-bottle format.

Vinification and Aging

The vinification of Château Chasse-Spleen 2020 is classic Médoc, with an emphasis on fruit, extraction, and fine tannins.

Harvest & Selection: Merlot was harvested from September 17 to September 27, 2020. Cabernet Sauvignon followed from September 27 to October 2, while Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot were brought in from September 25 to September 30.

Fermentation: The wine is made in epoxy cement vats and stainless steel tanks, after pressing and destemming. Alcoholic fermentation lasts 10 days, with remontage, where wine is pumped over the skins to build color, aroma, and tannin.

Maceration: After fermentation, approximately 2 weeks of skin contact follows. What is maceration? Maceration is the contact between juice, skins, and seeds, which gives red wine its color, structure, and aromatic depth.

Aging / Oak Aging: The wine ages for 12 to 18 months in French oak barrels. This aging imparts subtle notes of vanilla, toast, and cedar, without overpowering the wine's fruity character.

Alcohol Percentage: At 13.5% alcohol, this Moulis-en-Médoc remains powerful yet balanced. The ripeness of 2020 provides volume, while the fresh Médoc line keeps the wine taut.

Grape Composition

The 2020 blend is clearly Cabernet-driven, with Merlot for roundness and small additions for spiciness and precision.

49% Cabernet Sauvignon – Moulis-en-Médoc: Cabernet Sauvignon contributes blackcurrant, cassis, cedar, graphite, fresh tension, and the firm structure of this wine.

42% Merlot – Moulis-en-Médoc: Merlot brings plum, roundness, softness, and a smoother fruit core in the middle of the palate.

6.5% Petit Verdot – Moulis-en-Médoc: Petit Verdot adds color, peppery spice, depth, and extra grip to the finish.

2.5% Cabernet Franc – Moulis-en-Médoc: Cabernet Franc provides aromatic freshness, red fruit, subtle floral notes, and extra refinement.

Tasting Notes and Serving Suggestions

In the glass, Château Chasse-Spleen 2020 displays a dark claret color, clear and brilliant. The nose reveals black pepper, candied orange peel, blackberry, blackcurrant, raspberry, cherry, forest floor, and subtle woody notes. The palate is enveloping, smooth, and balanced, with very fine tannins, light roasted notes, soft vanilla, and a finish of blackberry jelly.

Serving Temperature: Serve this Moulis-en-Médoc at 16–18 °C, allowing the dark fruit, fine tannins, and subtle woody notes to harmonize beautifully.

Dishes: Excellent with entrecote, duck breast with red fruit, rack of lamb, roast beef, oven-baked mushrooms, pasta with rich sauce, grilled tuna, hard cheeses, and Asian dishes with savory spiciness.

Accolades

94 points, James Suckling (2020): Highly praised for blackcurrant, dark mushroom, bark, light nutmeg, fine tannins, and a juicy, balanced finish.

94 points, Wine Enthusiast (2020): A strong rating for a wine with rich black fruit, fresh acidity, firm yet fine tannins, and clear aging potential.

94 points, La Revue du Vin de France (2020): A high French rating that clearly confirms the quality of this 2020 within Moulis-en-Médoc.

93 points, Le Figaro (2020): A great score for the combination of ripe fruit, balance, and classic Médoc structure.

93 points, Tastingbook, Markus Del Monego (2020): A strong international rating for the ripe, spicy, and balanced style of this vintage.

92–93 points, Bettane & Desseauve (2020): Described as one of the best recent vintages of Chasse-Spleen, with complexity on multiple levels and the quality to approach good Crus Classés.

90 points, Vinous, Antonio Galloni (2020): A solid rating for a Bordeaux with dark fruit, spice, and the firm backbone associated with Chasse-Spleen.

89 points, Robert Parker Wine Advocate (2020): An additional rating supporting the classic, structured, and seriously built style of this Moulis-en-Médoc.

4.0 stars, Vivino (2020): With 840+ reviews, Château Chasse-Spleen 2020 shows that this vintage is also widely appreciated by wine lovers.

More Information About Château Chasse-Spleen

Château Chasse-Spleen is one of the most famous names in Moulis-en-Médoc and is often considered one of the strongest estates in this appellation. Its name is often associated with dispelling melancholy, a poetic origin that perfectly matches the château's distinctive appearance. Since the Merlaut family took over the estate in 1976, Chasse-Spleen has seen a significant quality boost, with Céline Villars-Foubet now at the helm of a house known for powerful, spicy, yet refined Médoc wines.