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Definitely Red
Red
- 100 % Grenache
- 100 % Handcrafted
- 100 % Passion
2022 | 92-94 |
2021 | 92 |
2020 | 93-95 |
2019 | 95 |
2018 | 93-95 |
2017 | 95 |
2016 | 95 |
Definitely Red, Vin de France 94
This deserves your attention! Foot-pressed, old-vine Grenache from Andreas Lenzenwöger, who makes the whites at Domaine de Pegau in Châteauneuf. High toned, lifted balsamic aromas. The palate is lovely and full, with bright, lush, concentrated raspberry fruit. The tannins are well managed and juicy, and there's good length on the pure, finessed finish. Fun, balanced and joyful. Only 600 bottles made in 2017, but production is set to increase. Drink 2019-2023.
Austro-Garagenwinzer an der Rhône: Andreas Lenzenwöger
Fußgestampft! Der ehemalige Sommelier verzichtet für sein Label „Definitely Red“ auf Maschinen
Sein Wissens-Durst war offenbar stark. Hört man sich die Vita von Andreas Lenzenwöger an, kommt man um diesen Schluss nicht herum. Denn als Sommelier an der Seite von Adi Schmid (noch im „alten“ Steirereck) oder im Hamburger „Le Canard“ von Josef Viehhauser kennt man sich schon ganz gut aus in Sachen Wein. Doch das faustische Streben, der Erkenntnisdrang zum Trank, brachte Lenzenwöger letztlich aus dem Restaurant direkt auf ein Weingut. Und auch das nicht irgendwohin, sondern als Praktikant zu Willi Sattler in die Südsteiermark. Gegangen ist er als Kellermeister. Next stop oder besser prochain arrêt: Châteauneuf du Pape!
93-94 Points
by Yohan Castaing
2023 Definitely White
Pure Clairette matured in large barrels or demi-muids, Lenzenwoger's 2023 Definitely White reveals a pure, delicate and fresh bouquet of spring blossoms, jasmine, white peach and herbs. Moderately weighted, layered and concentrated, it's delicately phenolic with bright acids, a vibrant core of fruit and a long, saline finish. This is a real success and a brilliant wine in the making.
Andreas Lezenwoger, who works at Domaine du Pegaü crafting white wines, also pursues his passion by making wines independently. He buys grapes from meticulous vignerons and vinifies them in the cellar of his own home. His white wine, a pure Clairette, is macerated for one week and matured for a year and a half, while his red undergoes a three-week maceration, followed by the same maturation period. Andreas has abandoned the use of pumps and strongly advocates whole-bunch fermentation. His wines are singular, delicate and refined, with an ethereal character enhanced by gently stemmy tannins. Despite the low production of just a few barrels a year, they are worth seeking.
Published: Sep 12, 2024
92-94 Points
by Jeb Dunnuck
2022 Definitely Red
Pure Grenache from sandy soils from the northeast of Châteauneuf Du Pape, the 2022 Definitely Red was vinified and aged all in used barrels. Gorgeous black raspberries, spring flowers, cracked pepper, and beautiful violet and salty nuances all emerge from this beauty, and it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a fine, elegant, incredibly Burgundian style that still brings beautiful depth and richness.
94+ Points
by Niels Lillelund
2018 Definitely Red
Tasted over two days. Initially extremely light on its feet, en danseuse, a real grimpeur – elegant, yet with a core of Southern Accents – more present on day 2. Garrigue galore, true to the land, a local wine, unbridled as such, certainly a red-blooded Grenache – and NOT a pinot, thank you very much, too everything, there is a season; chalky, dry surface, concentrated and extremely pure fruit, essence of the grape, sexy as hell – but not in the too obvious way, quite sophisticated appeal. I could drink a case of you and still be on my feet – at least, I think so; 15 % - but who cares, it’s very balanced indeed …. 94+ point.
Bravo, Andreas Lenzenwöger
94-96 Points
by Jeb Dunnuck
2017 Definitely Red
Tasted as a barrel sample, the 2017 Definitely Red offers a gorgeous bouquet of kirsch, rose petals, flowers garden, and spice. It's medium to full-bodied, ultra-fine, so pure, with great tannin and beautifully integrated acidity.
Score 17+ /20
by Jancis Robinson
2017 Definitely Red
Andreas Lenzenwöger Definitely Red 2017 Vin de France: Grenache. Cask sample. Closed nose. Superb red fruit on the palate though – an excellent portrait of Grenache with succulent red fruit, juicy acid and supple tannin. The alcohol is high and undeniable but it somehow integrates well. Softer than the 2016, it seems. (RH)
95 Points
by Jeb Dunnuck
2016 Definitely Red
Made from 100% Grenache, raised all in barrel, the 2016 Definitely Red sports a beautiful deep ruby color as well as a Burgundian nose of black cherries, forest floor, pepper, and crushed flowers. It's medium to full-bodied, deep, layered, and incredibly fine, with silky (yet present) tannin, integrated acidity, and a beautiful finish. It's about as classy a Vin de France as you'll find in the country.
94-96 Points
by Heiner Lobenberg
2016 Definitely Red
2016 Definitely Red: Das Erstlingswerk von Andreas Lenzenwöger, dem Kellermeister bei Pegau und Verantwortlichen für die kompromisslos biodynamisch produzierte Spitzen-Cuvée À Tempo folgt bereits einem klaren Konzept. Burgundische Finesse und das typische Terroir des Süd-Rhône sollen sich in einem harmonischen und ganz eigenständigen Characterwein wiederfinden.
Wir haben hier einen Garagenwein im besten Sinne und ohne Kompromisse: Von der Auswahl der Trauben über die gebrauchten Barriques von Guigal bis hin zum NDTec Kork wird nichts dem Zufall überlassen. Uralte Grenache von sandigen Böden werden per Hand eingemaischt und ohne jeglichen maschinellen Einsatz in offenen Barriques vergoren. Selbst auf eine Presse wird verzichtet, um dem Wein seine eigene, unvergleichliche Textur und Finesse zu verleihen.
Gerade abgefüllt präsentiert sich der Def Red mit ganz viel feiner Frucht, Pflaume und Johannisbeeren sanft eingebettet in eine Lage feinstem Tannin, dazu eine feine Würze vom gebrauchten Barrique, die nach ein paar Minuten vornehm in den Hintergrund rückt.
Def Red spielt geradezu leichtfüßig mit einer vielschichtigen Aromatik, ein bisschen Garrigues, dabei stets unterstützt von feiner Mineralik und einer sehr straffen Säure, die dem Wein seine Ausgewogenheit, ja geradezu burgundische Feinheit verleiht.
Ein absolut spannender Wein mit Kult-Potential, dem ein noch feinerer und finessenreicherer 2017 folgen wird. Welch ein Einstand - weiter so!
Definitely Red
White
- 100 % Clairette
- 100 % Handcrafted
- 100 % Passion
2023 | 93-94 |
2022 | 92-94 |
2021 | 96 |
2020 | 93-96 |
2019 | 95 |
2017 | 91-93 |
The Guigal barrique
me at work
2018 Def Red
Tasted by Matt Walls (Rhône Valley, 05 Oct 2020)
91 points
This is made by Andreas Lenzenwoger, who makes the white wines at Domaine de Pegau. It's made from old Grenache vines grown on sand near Châteauneuf-du-Pape, all foot-pressed. Lovely bright plum and blackberry fruit here with violets and aniseed on the nose alongside a herbal backbone. Medium bodied but great grip and delineated tannins. Lovely acidity. A deliciously textured wine that’s pretty punchy for such a lowly appellation.
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