Château Chasse-Spleen 2016

Classic Cabernet-based Médoc with dark fruit, blackcurrant and graphite. Juicy, fresh with tannic drive.

The 2016 Chasse-Spleen is an earthy, powerful wine. There is good persistence, but the 2016 remains a bit rustic and hearty in style. Smoke, dried herbs, dried cherry and a whole range of savory Cabernet Sauvignon notes run through this expressive, hearty Moulis en Médoc.

Quite bright, this medium to full-bodied, fresh, sharp, crisp wine, filled with cassis and cranberry, is made for lovers of older, classically styled Bordeaux. The wine leans toward the cedar, tobacco leaf, and piquant red-fruit side of the stylistic range.

Kunz barrel sample 17: Medium, fruity bouquet, red and blue berries, violets. Rather slender palate with fine-grained tannins, sturdy structure, light fruit, dry finish.

Medium, fruity bouquet with red and blue berries, violet. Rather slender palate with fine-sandy tannins, a firm core, light fruit, dry finish. 16/20 2023 - 2032

A well-structured wine, with muscle and lovely mouthfeel elegance. Very suave.

Purple with violet highlights. Very nice fruit intensity that clearly showcases Cabernet Sauvignon through notes of blackcurrant. I also detect hints of raisins and blueberries. Silky on the palate. Chasse-Spleen has perfectly integrated tannins and good aromatic intensity. It needs cellaring to fully reveal itself. Bravo.

Deeply colored wine with a fruity nose; on the palate, it’s smooth, without tannic edges, fruity but lacking in body. It should be much better.

91–93. Barrel Sample. This wine is soft and ripe, with finely integrated tannins. The acidity gives it a great lift, and is framed by those fine, dusty tannins.