Château Chasse-Spleen

Identity

Château Chasse-Spleen is a winegrowing estate located in Moulis-en-Médoc, in the Gironde. It is currently owned by Céline Villars-Foubet and Jean-Pierre Foubet. Stéphane Cledat serves as cellar master, working alongside consultant oenologist Éric Boissenot. The estate holds Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel status.

History and philosophy

The history of Château Chasse-Spleen dates back to 1863, when the name “Château Chasse-Spleen” was established. The property was acquired by Jacques Merlaut in 1976. His daughter, Bernadette Villars, took over management before Claire Villars took the helm in 1992. Céline Villars has been the owner since 2000. In 2003, the estate acquired the terroirs of Gressier Grand Poujeaux, followed by a significant expansion in early 2023 with the acquisition of roughly thirty additional hectares from Château Brillette. Château Chasse-Spleen opened an art centre in 2017. The estate has also been recognised as a “Société à Mission” since 2023.

Appellations

Château Chasse-Spleen produces its wines under the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation, the smallest appellation in the Médoc.

Practical information

Château Chasse-Spleen is located at 32 Chemin de la Razé, 33480 Moulis-en-Médoc. The estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 (0)5 56 58 02 37 or by email at info@chasse-spleen.com or visites@chasse-spleen.com. The tasting boutique is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm. In July and August, on-site sales are available without an appointment. The estate offers tours and tastings by appointment, with a paid option including the tasting of two wines. The estate holds the Vignobles et Découvertes certification. Tours are available in French and English. Accepted payment methods include American Express, debit/credit cards, bank and postal cheques, and cash. Wi-Fi is available on site. Pets and groups are not accepted for cellar tastings.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

Château Chasse-Spleen’s vineyard covers 135 hectares following the 2023 expansion. The soils feature Garonne gravel over a calcaire à astéries limestone bedrock, including the four gravel rises from the parcels acquired from Brillette. The average vine age is 35 years. The grape varieties cultivated for red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. For white wines, the varieties grown are Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle. The harvest is carried out by hand.

Key cuvées

The estate's principal wine is Château Chasse-Spleen. A second wine, named L'Héritage (or Héritage de Chasse-Spleen), is also produced. These wines are crafted primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

Vinification and ageing

Ageing for the wines of Château Chasse-Spleen lasts 18 months, with approximately 40% new oak barrels used.