Lot presentation

Château Chasse Spleen 1986

The wine

Recognised for its consistency across vintages, this vine could have stated its claim as part of the 1855 Grands Crus classification, if only it had existed at the time! Alas, Château Chasse Spleen was founded in 1863. The thirty-year-old vines grow on soils rich in clay and pebbles. In terms of the grape varieties used, Cabernet Sauvignon is included at 73%, with 20% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. This wine is harmonious, very tannic and full-bodied, though still elegant. It has a deep, ruby colour and ripe aromas of prune. In its best years, Chasse Spleen rivals the best of the Medoc’s crus classés.

About the Producer Château Chasse Spleen

Charles Baudelaire and Lord Byron are among this wine's most enthusiastic and famous ambassadors, which has become one of the most representative crus bourgeois from Médoc. The vines have an average age of 30 years and grow on the best plots on the Grand Poujeaux hilltop in deep gravelly soil. After manual harvests, the winemaking process takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete tanks. The wines are then aged in the traditional style for 12 to 14 months in oak barrels (40% renewed each year). The wines are bottled at the château after being fined with egg whites. The Château was not included in the 1855 classification because the owner at that time, Madame Castaing, was still establishing the vineyard, following an inheritance. However, Chasse Spleen was made a Grand cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in 1932. This status was confirmed in the revision that took place in June 2003.

Detailed characteristics