History, Overview
Chateau Chasse Spleen was once part of a much larger Haut Medoc estate that sold their wine under the name of Chateau Grand-Poujeaux.
In 1822, their Bordeaux vineyards were divided as follows; half the property became Chateau Gressier-Grand-Poujeaux and the other half of the estate eventually became the foundation for what would become 3 different, Bordeaux estates, Chateau Maucaillou, Chateau Poujeaux-Theil and of course, Chateau Chasse Spleen.
There are numerous stories trying to explain the name of Chateau Chasse Spleen. The best possibilities are poetic. The first version is, the name was inspired from a visit by Lord Byron in 1821. During that visit, Bryon was so moved, he was quoted, “Quel remede pour chasser le spleen”, which when loosely translated means, “What remedy to remove the spleen?”
The other equally poetic explanation is attributed to the poem Spleen, whose author Charles Baudelaire also visited Chateau Chasse Spleen.
Chateau Chasse Spleen remained the property of the Castaing family until it was sold just before World War 1 to a German family of wine merchants. After the outbreak of World War I, Chateau Chasse Spleen was confiscated as enemy property and sold at an auction in 1922 to the Lahary family.
The Modern Age
The modern era for Chateau Chasse Spleen starts in 1976 when the estate was bought by the Merlaut family. At the time of the purchase, Chasse Spleen owned about 40 hectares of vines. Under the direction of Jacques Merlaut and his daughter, Bernadotte Villars they expanded their vineyard holdings so that today, Chasse Spleen has 80 hectares of vines.
The Merlaut family did more than just increase their holdings. They replanted large sections of the vineyard to increase the vine density. They also updated and modernized their wine making facilities.
The new owners have also added a touch of artistic whimsy to the estate. When you visit, make sure you see the sculptures in the garden, with its giant ball and even bigger pair of galoshes! They will definitely put a smile on your face.
The Merlaut family owns several other vineyards including; Chateau Gruaud Larose, Chateau Ferriere, Chateau Citran and Chateau Haut Bages Liberal. They are also very, successful negociants.
After changing careers from teacher to winemaker, the daughter of Jacques Merlaut, Bernadette Villars and her husband took control of Chateau Chasse Spleen. With the famous Professor Emile Peynaud, they brought up the quality of the wines of Chateau Chasse Spleen.
Tragically, she and her husband died in a mountaineering accident in the Pyrenees in 1992. Today the estate is ably managed by her daughter Claire Villars.
Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking
The large 80 hectare, Left Bank vineyard of Chateau Chasse Spleen is planted to 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. This shows a major change from what was planted in the mid 1990’s, as today, the Cabernet Sauvignon has been increased, and the Cabernet Franc has been completely removed.
The vines are on average 30 years of age. The terroir is gravel, with clay and chalk soil. However, that varies as they have parcels in several different vineyards spread among the various communes in the appellation. The vineyard is planted to a vine density ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare.
A small 2 hectare portion of vines is planted to 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. This is for the production of a dry, white Bordeaux wine, Blanc de Chasse Spleen. Because white wine wine grapes are not allowed in the Haut Medoc appellation, Blanc de Chasse Spleen is sold as a generic, AOC Bordeaux Blanc.
The red wine of Chasse Spleen is vinified in a combination of stainless steel tanks and wood vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. The wine of Chasse Spleen is aged in 40% new, French oak barrels for between 12 and 15 months before bottling.
