2004 Chasse Spleen Blanc

I've found it nearly impossible to gather any technical information on the 2004 Chateau Chasse-Spleen blanc. The Chateau Chasse-Spleen web site makes no mention of its white wine, only its grand and deuxieme vins. If it is similar to the 2003 then the breakdown is roughly 2/3 semillon and 1/3 sauvignon blanc. Where the vines are planted, vine density, age of vines, and yield are all unknown as of right now, though I assume that the grapes are grown on the same property as the red, in the commune of moulis (though physically it is closer to Arcins).

The wines of Chasse-Spleen are made by Claire Villars one of the handful of women winemakers in the Médoc. The quality of these wines is quite high, often described as being of third growth quality despite its position as Cru Bourgeois. This estate sits on close to two hundred acres with an output of almost 600,000 bottles per year, according to Parker.

We enjoyed the 2004 Chasse-Spleen blanc as a pre-prandial aperitif and during our meal as well. Homemade pasta with fresh herbs and a sauce of spring vegetables constituted the plat principal. The wine, being young, remained muted for the duration of the meal, though hints of its potential would occasionally shine through. Initially oaky, but not the kind of oak I find offensive or overwhelming. Quite delicate. The wine coated the glass with its oily viscosity. Rich and unctuous on the palate with lots of refined oak. Evolving with hints of citrus and pinneaple. Very round on the palate, with maybe not quite the acidity I would have hoped for considering that the other aspects of the wine lend themselves to long ageing. Time will tell. Vanilla and mango now with some wet slate and apricot emerging after assertive coaxing. Somewhat monolithic at present on the palate, but the nose indicates that the potential of this wine lies somewhere in the future. Great balance. Hold on to this one, though it makes for pleasurable drinking right now, I think we miss something by imbibing too soon.

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