France · Bordeaux

Chateau Chasse-Spleen

Chateau Chasse-Spleen is the leading estate of Moulis-en-Médoc and one of Bordeaux's most celebrated Crus Bourgeois, frequently discussed as a candidate for official classified growth status given its consistent quality-to-price performance. The estate covers approximately 100 hectares planted to 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Owned by the Villars-Fourcade family since 1976 — also proprietors of Haut-Bages Liberal — Chasse-Spleen's large production and broad distribution give it both auction liquidity and strong critical following. The name derives from a phrase attributed to both Byron and Baudelaire, meaning roughly 'chase away melancholy.' The wine's secondary label is L'Héritage de Chasse-Spleen. At auction, the estate averages $66 per bottle across 235 lots with peaks to $369. The 2009, 2010, and 2016 vintages are the estate's most sought-after, with Wine Advocate scores regularly in the 89–93 range. While Chasse-Spleen rarely reaches the 90s from the top critics, it delivers consistent, classically built left-bank Bordeaux at prices accessible to collectors not chasing classification prestige. The estate's Moulis appellation position keeps prices structurally below Pauillac and Saint-Julien peers. The secondary label L'Héritage de Chasse-Spleen offers further entry at lower price points, providing collectors with an accessible introduction to the estate's terroir.