Chateau Chasse-Spleen Moulis en Medoc 1971 Vintage

Chateau Chasse-Spleen Moulis en Medoc 1971 vintage Château Chasse-Spleen is a vineyard located in the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation west of Margaux. It has long been seen as the leading estate in the appellation - alongside Château Poujeaux - and is widely regarded, if not as a cru classé standard, then certainly as ranking among the best wines just below the classification. It was selected as one of the six Crus Exceptionnels in the Cru Bourgeois classification in 1932 and maintained that status until the classification was revoked in 2007. The wines are prized for their well-balanced fruitiness in a variety of vintages. The vineyard was established in 1820, when the Grand Poujeaux estate was divided into two parts: Poujeaux Gressier and Poujeaux-Castaing. The latter was renamed Chasse-Spleen in 1863 after further divisions. The name refers to the quality of the wine and its ability to "scatter the spleen," a phrase uttered by Lord Byron during his visit to Poujeaux-Castaing in 1821. The estate has also been linked to the French poet Baudelaire, known for his major work Les Fleurs du Mal (Flowers of Evil), which contains numerous works entitled "spleen." Although the estate cultivates poetic connections - recent labels include excerpts of poetry - there is unfortunately no concrete evidence that any of the poets visited the estate. Estimated price: £301 - £350