2009 Domaine du Pavillon de Chavannes Côte de Brouilly Cuvée des Ambassades

• By Josh Raynolds
  July 2011, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Domaine du Pavillon de Chavannes Cote de Brouilly Cuvee des Ambassades) Login and sign up and see review text.

• By Josh Raynolds
  February 2011, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Domaine du Pavillon de Chavannes Cote de Brouilly Cuvee des Ambassades) Login and sign up and see review text.

• By Josh Raynolds
  February 2011, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Domaine du Pavillon de Chavannes Cote de Brouilly Cuvee des Ambassades) Login and sign up and see review text.

• By Josh Raynolds
  Feb-11, IWC Issue #6300003, 2/1/2011, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Domaine du Pavillon de Chavannes Cote de Brouilly Cuvee des Ambassades) Login and sign up and see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  5/20/2010, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (AMBASSADES Pavillon des Chavannes Cote du Brouilly) 2009 Dear Friends, Today we have a wine that many of our long-term members believe defines Garagiste like no other and I've been looking forward to offering it since the harvest (the material was like molten grape encrusted stone). As far as stories and their importance, this wine and winery are among the most special in France and the designation by the French Government to anoint the Cuvee des Ambassades as the most "French of examples" is telling enough of its importance. All of this is well and good but when the vintage is one of the finest in 50 years, even I will break my self imposed spending freeze and purchase as much as allocations will allow (to be fair, I will wait to horde my stash until your allocations are complete). Pavillon de Chavannes "Cuvee des Ambassades" has been hailed as one of the most dignified wines of Beaujolais and one of the most important in all of Burgundy. The label remains unchanged since the 1930's and it was here, on the storied slope of the blue granite Cote de Brouilly, that local resistance fought the German army in WWII (with home made weaponry and nothing but their instinct and wily knowledge of the local landscape to aid them). Somehow, they pushed the Germans back and caused them to rethink their strategy enough that this uprising is credited with one of the straws that broke a tired camel's back and changed the tide of the conflict near the end of the war. The Burgundians have never forgotten this and each descendant of the souls that took their lives into such uncharted territory on the Cote de Brouilly will forever give thanks that today they are still French. For this reason, the bullet holes and German shell casings have been left untouched in the vineyard and on the oldest tree that stands at the top of the hill. There are times when wine stands for frivolity and winsome occasions, there are others when it stands for everything else. Cuvee des Ambassades is the top expression from the winery - produced by an aging husband and wife team without modernization or nod of any kind toward winemaking post 1950. It is culled from the oldest and most prestigious set of vines they have, vinified 100% in cement. The wine has been chosen to represent the French way of life (and the government) as the quintessential example of French wine - to be served at their embassies around the world when dignitaries and special guests arrive. As far as wine is concerned, that honor is the ultimate acknowledgement for Chavannes that they have somehow captured (in a bottle) everything it means to be French - a web of history, tradition, culture and the hear and now intertwined and never to be forgotten. In classic French style, this esoteric concept may best be said by pouring rather than speaking and the Ambassades has much to say. I'd like to describe the 2009 Ambassades to you, but I'd rather temper the insanity by allowing you to do your own research. I will tell you is that the 2009 has everything the 2005 possessed plus a profound level of extractive terroir with a chance to age for decades. I will also steal my own line from a previous vintage, offered 3-4 years ago (maybe it was the 2006, I don't remember at this point) but it continues to apply in spades - the Cuvee des Ambassades is "honest, pure and soaked in the soul of soil that is both historic and legendary for its appellation." If you are an enthusiast of site-place and enjoy the smile that accompanies the acquisition of the world's top examples under $20, that's really all that needs to be said. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as one of the great expressions of terroir, regardless of time or era. ONE SHIPMENT ONLY for the US. Please note: the 2009 is in very short supply - it has been anticipated in Europe by many, not just me (in a similar way to the top 2009 Bordeaux) - please let us know your interest at you earliest convenience: 2009 Pavillon de Chavannes Cote de Brouilly "Cuvee des Ambassades" (this is not the same wine as the regular Cote de Brouilly, which is very fine, but it's not the Ambassades) - Please be patient with Niki here! Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Burg9440