Château Chasse-Spleen 1996 is an outstanding wine from the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation, one of the lesser-known yet highly regarded regions in Bordeaux. The wine comes from a vintage known for both its good ripeness and balance. 1996 was a classic Bordeaux year, with a cool spring and a hot, dry summer, leading to a long ripening period and providing the grapes with ideal physiological maturity.

Château Chasse-Spleen is known for its wines, which consistently exhibit excellent structure, freshness, and depth. The 1996 vintage demonstrates these typical characteristics with dazzling clarity, complex fruitiness, and remarkable elegance. The nose is dominated by aromas of black currants, cherries, and plums, complemented by notes of tobacco, spices, and a hint of leather, reflecting the wine's evolution over the years.

On the palate, the Château Chasse-Spleen 1996 displays a fine tannin structure that is now very well integrated, and a lively acidity that lends the wine freshness and length. The fruit remains present, and the aromas develop with a delicate minerality that adds further complexity to the wine. The texture is velvety, and the finish is long and elegant.

Having already aged for over two decades, the wine has reached its peak, and its aromas are well-developed and harmonious. The 1996 vintage of Château Chasse-Spleen offers a good example of the longevity of wines from this region and can be aged for several more years, although it is currently in a very pleasant drinking window.