2019 Lou Frejau Cotes du Rhone

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.