Chateau Chasse-Spleen 2015

Something to lift your spirits. The 2015 version is closed up at first with some firm and restrained nose of fresh berries and grassy minty notes. It was also quite tight on the palate with acidity and tannins making sure you notice their presence. With the door shut, this wine still does not show any weakness. Somehow on the palate, it hints an open world where complexity and flavours will roam free - like a shut door but with a glass window.  So I let it sit for 20 minutes in the glass. Sure enough, it started to bloom with vibrant nose of violet and fresh fruits. There is still vegetal notes but pleasant and balancing ones. On the palate, it started coming out with more of the butter and brioche on top of the berries.  As time goes on, the wine began to show even more with savoury flavours of mushroom, earthiness and even some salty rocks. I feel there is still more of this wine yet to be discovered. This evolution through time was observed in this one pour which was quite fun actually.

Being away from the Gironde comparing to the bigger Left Bank appellations (St. Estephe, Paulliac, St. Julien, and Margaux), Moulis does not benefit as much from the moderations of the river and thus having bigger temperature swings between day and night and summer and winter. With careful vineyard management, it is still possible to create exciting wines. I guess that is also the charm of terroir.

I have one more bottle, will try again in a few years.