Product Description
Château Chasse-Spleen is a renowned Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel from the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation in Bordeaux, France, often praised for its quality that rivals some classified growths. The 2011 vintage is a classic Left Bank Bordeaux blend, characterized by a deep ruby-red color and a complex aromatic profile. It offers notes of cassis, blackberry, and dark fruit, with hints of graphite, cedar, pencil shavings, and subtle spice. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with firm, ripe tannins, balanced acidity, and a juicy, fruit-driven core. The wine is structured yet approachable, with a mineral accent from the gravelly terroir and a lingering, elegant finish. It is aged for 12–14 months in French oak barrels (40% new), contributing to its polished texture and potential for aging.
Food Pairings
The 2011 Château Chasse-Spleen pairs excellently with:
- Red Meats: Grilled or roasted beef, lamb shoulder, or venison, as the wine’s tannins and acidity cut through the richness of the meat.
- Game: Wild boar or pheasant, complementing the wine’s dark fruit and earthy notes.
- Cheeses: Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Cheddar, which harmonize with the wine’s structured profile.
- Hearty Dishes: Mushroom-based dishes, truffle-infused cuisine, or tomato-based sauces, which enhance the wine’s mineral and fruit characteristics. The wine’s balanced structure makes it versatile for both robust and refined dishes, ideally served after decanting for 1–2 hours to soften tannins.
Critics’ Reviews
- Wine Enthusiast (2012): Rated 90–92 (barrel sample). “Big and firm tannins are palpable from the start, with a ripe and fruity core underneath. It has concentration along with the typical juicy character of the vintage.”
- CellarTracker (Community Reviews): The 2011 vintage has an average score of approximately 89 points based on community reviews. Notes highlight its cassis-driven nose, grippy tannins, and potential for further development with food pairings like lamb. Reviewers note it as structured but needing time to fully integrate.
- General Commentary: Critics describe the 2011 Château Chasse-Spleen as a solid, classic Bordeaux with good structure and concentration, though less opulent than exceptional vintages like 2009 or 2010. It is praised for its balance and aging potential, with some suggesting it may still be youthful and tannin-driven, requiring food or further cellaring.
Drink Window
The 2011 Château Chasse-Spleen is recommended to be enjoyed between 2015 and 2025, with peak drinking likely around 2020–2025. It benefits from 6–9 years of bottle age to soften its tannins and fully express its complexity. Young bottles may require 1–2 hours of decanting to open up. Some reviewers suggest it could last until 2030 in optimal storage conditions, though it may start to decline in fruit intensity toward the later end of this window.
