The terrible floods of the Maule River in 2023 hit Gonzales Bastias hard. Their vineyards were flooded, although luckily, without damage to the plants, since their advanced age withstand such occasional disasters. But their cellar and winery were wrecked. As a result they felt "headless", and that feeling lends its name to the new wine they made following the tragedy. Descabezado was made in their new winery, built above the hill where the old one stood, and it is one hundred percent Pais from their incredible 200 year old plus vines. It fermented from native yeasts, and macerated three days on the skin before a slower, extended three month fermentation. Unfined and unfiltered, it shows the loveliest side of Pais, soft on the palate with plenty of berry fruit. An easy drinking wine showing the versatility of the grape and the high standards of the wines coming from Chile these days. - Bowler Wine

Situated near the famous Mont Ventoux, and close to the fabulous ancient city of Orange, lies the estate of Lou Frejau. In 1982, Serge Chastan, a traditional man of the earth, founded a domaine he called Lou Fréjau, meaning “the round pebble" in Provençal dialect. This name is inspired by the polished river stones that offer a unique habitat for growing vines in and around Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Chastan’s wife, Christiane, joined him in 2003, and together they manage the wine making of the estate using traditional methods and their expansive knowledge of oenology, working with total respect of the region and environment. The estate's village Cotes du Rhone comes largely from grenache vines laboring in sandy soils. While less profound and rich than the estate's Chateauneuf-du-Pape, with a few years in bottle, this wine offers real complexity and nuance. Scents of blackberry jam lead to a broad range of savory, spicy notes. Try it with beans, sausage, or burgers.