2001 Château Chasse-Spleen Moulis-en-Médoc

This is an exceptionally consistent and highly regarded Left Bank red Bordeaux from the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation. Classified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, Château Chasse-Spleen is famously known among collectors for regularly outperforming many of the classified 1855 growths. The estate's poetic name—loosely translating to "to chase away the blues" or melancholy—is said to have been inspired by visits from Lord Byron and the poet Charles Baudelaire in the 19th century.

Now displaying substantial bottle age, the 2001 vintage is a beautifully mature, classic expression of the estate’s gravel-dominant terroir. It leads with a complex, savory bouquet of blackcurrant, dried plums, and cedar wood, intricately woven with hints of leafy tobacco, underbrush, and forest floor. On the palate, the wine is medium-to-full-bodied, showing a fine bead of acidity and velvety, fully resolved tannins that carry into a long, mineral-tinged finish with a pleasant touch of black pepper.

Highlights

• Vintage: 2001

• Region/Appellation: Moulis-en-Médoc, Left Bank, Bordeaux, France

• Producer: Château Chasse-Spleen

• Grape: Left Bank Bordeaux Blend (Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with Merlot and Petit Verdot)

• Style: Mature, Structured, and Savory Left Bank Red Bordeaux

• Perfect for (food pairing): Dry-aged grilled ribeye or wagyu steak, slow-braised beef cheeks, roasted rack of lamb with a garlic and rosemary crust, and classic wild game dishes such as venison or pheasant. It also acts as an excellent companion to duck breast with a cherry reduction, classic rich stews like boeuf bourguignon, or a selection of aged hard cheeses.