1989 Chasse Spleen
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Tasting notes
With vivid memories of the outstanding 1990 in my head, I approached my maiden 1989 Chasse-Spleen with lofty expectations. With faint aging on the rim, the 1989 shares the 1990's melted quality on the nose, scents of red fruit commingling with mocha and brown spices, a whiff of Montecristo later. The palate is medium-bodied with a lighter chassis than the 1990. It's a bit leathery and certainly attenuates towards the finish. You feel that age has nibbled away at this Moulis-en-Médoc, and it does fade in the glass. Drink up. Tasted at the 1989 dinner at Piccolino in London.
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
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The 1989 Chasse-Spleen offers chestnut and black truffle on the nose, with a touch of dried blood, comfortably revealing in its secondary aromas. The palate is wonderfully balanced, the dusty black fruit laced with cedar and charcoal, a hint of soy on the “old school” finish. The 1989 has held up wonderfully and, though maybe not quite as charming or as voluminous as the 1990, it is not far off. Tasted from a bottle bought on release and tasted at “Brat” restaurant in London.
Make no mistake about it, the 1989 Chasse-Spleen is the finest wine this property has produced since their great 1949. This is a spectacularly rich, powerful, authoritative example of the vintage that can compete with and even surpass many of the most famous names. Layer upon layer of concentrated, sweet, expansive, blackcurrant fruit is wrapped in a frame of toasty new oak and decent acidity. An awesome wine! Anticipated maturity: 1996-2015.
About the producer
If there’s one Moulis estate you know, it is likely Chasse-Spleen, today owned by the Foubet family. Vines have been planted here since the 16th century, and today it has an impressive 100 hectares to its name.