[Visiting] Chateau Chasse-Spleen

My bicycle is always well-parked.

1. Chateau Chasse-Spleen

It is quite interesting and long history. If you're interested. please visit here. They offer the language service of English, French, Korean, Japanese and Chinese. 

:http://www.chasse-spleen.com/#!/hier

1) Poujeaux Gressier. 

He was the first owner of this chateau. Even he was one of the main part who developed Grand-Poujeaux town.

2) He gave his property to his daughter and son.

His son was able to get the name "Poujeaux Gressier" but his daughter(Lucrece) was unable. 

She had got married with Castaing de Poujeaux. When she participated in 1863 London universal fair, she need a name for her wine. But as she could not use her father's name, so the name was Poujeaux-Castaing. 

3) Rosa Ferriere

She is daughter-in-law of Lucrece.  She decided to call the wine "Chasse-Spleen".

It means "to chase(Chasse) depression(spleen)". 

And at this time, this event caused a system of copyright of wine name.

4) The First World War

After Rosa Ferriere's generation, this estate was handed over to Germany. However, it was returned to France again because of the war, 

now it was time to find new owner. 

It was put up for auction twice. Finally Hermann Segnitz had taken it around 1912, but he was a temporary owner.

5) Jacques Merlaut

Next proprietor was very smart in business area. His family enlarged the business as buying other vineyards in many places. 

6) Present

Now, Celine Villars is in charge of Chateaux Chasse-Spleen(with Chateau Gressier Grand-Poujeaux, the part of the son of Gressier-The first owner). She is a granddaughter of Jacques Merlaut.

The colour of window and flower is similar to something you can find during the wine production. 

(I couldn't understand well)

These boots shows the passion and effort of workers in Chateau Chasse-Spleen. 

The owner considers the effort of the workers very important.

And the boots are both right side.

Beautiful view from English garden

2. Total surface of Moulis appellation: 600 hectare

Chateau Chasse-spleen owns 104 hectare totally. 

3. They produce 5 different wines: 

The first wine (Grand vin): Chateau Chasse-Spleen

2 second wines (ex, heritage de chateau chasse-spleen)

Chateau Gressier Grand Poujeaux

White wine (It grows up near Listrac. 60% Semillon/ Sauvignon Blanc / Muscadelle)

4. For Red wine 

55% Cabernet Sauvignon

30% Merlot

7% Cabernet Franc

3% Petit Verdo

5. Age of vine plant : 45years. 

Young vines (younger than 15years) are used for second wines. 

6. The type of soil : Sand (Dry), Gravel (from Pyrenes, good for Cabernet Sauvignon)

7. Harvest : all hand picking (150 people) 

8. Cuvier : Vat house. Special.

The pipe to control temperature is located around the Vat not inside.

Washing the vats of both outside and inside is very important related to AOC

9. 40% of new oaks for the first wine.

10. Blending time: near Christmas

11. 9 triangle dancing

The shapes on the ceiling looks like triangle at a certain point.

12. The temperature in the wine cellar: 15degree, 75% humidity

13. Tasting 

Heritage 

80% Cabernet sauvignon, 20% Merlot

12 months for maturation

5% of new oak barrel

with cheese, or like aperitif, with barbecue

good in 5-6 years

Acid, spicy 

Chateau Gressier Grand Poujeaux (The name of town is Grand-Poujeaux)

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot

12 months for maturation

20% of new oak barrel

with Beef, chicken

Dry, acid, tannins, finish long, spicies like pepper, plum

stronger than "heritage"

Chateau Chasse-Spleen (2011)

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdo

18 months for maturation

40% of oak barrel 

Dry, Acid, Tannins, Full body, 

moss, Liquorice, Black currant, champignon, smoke... 

Chateaux Chasse-Spleen was very interesting and beautiful place. 

Their estate is quite big, so they provide some event service like wedding, private birthday part or business seminar etc. 

***

I would like to say thank you to the guide. I was alone, and he was very kind. 

See you again.!