2020 Assmannshausen Frankenthal Blanc de Noir Brut Nature Winery Alexander Schregel Rheingau 0.75l

2020 Assmannshausen Frankenthal Blanc de Noir Brut Nature Winery Alexander Schregel - Rheingau
single-vineyard wine

Origin:

The grapes come from the famous steep slope of Frankenthal in Assmannshausen, which has been renowned for its Pinot Noir for centuries. Elevated, cool, and protected by the forest, it offers ideal conditions for a fresh, vibrant sparkling wine. Alexander Schregel, named "Rheingau Discovery of the Year 2023" (VINUM), draws on a piece of Rheingau cultural heritage with this sparkling wine – interpreting it in an uncompromisingly modern and purist way.

Expansion:

The Pinot Noir grapes were hand-harvested in 2020 and fermented spontaneously in used oak barrels. The base wine then matured on the full lees until August 2021, before undergoing traditional bottle fermentation and remaining on the lees for a full 36 months . Disgorged in August 2024, it will be bottled as a Brut Nature —without dosage, pure, and with a strong terroir.

Aroma & Taste:

The nose reveals a fine, cool aroma with notes of wild berries, red currants, and rosehip , complemented by a hint of fresh herbs. The palate is precise and taut, supported by lively acidity and mineral freshness. The long lees aging brings delicate notes of brioche and bread crust that intertwine elegantly with the clean fruit. The mousse is fine and creamy, and the finish is long, salty and minerally, with tremendous traction.

Food recommendation:

A perfect aperitif for connoisseurs, it also makes a versatile accompaniment to dishes: grilled salmon with lemon butter , stuffed zucchini blossoms , poultry terrine , or mature Comté . Its freshness and structure also make it a delightful companion to slightly spicy Asian dishes .

Special features of the 2020 vintage in the Rheingau:

The year 2020 in the Rheingau was characterized by plenty of sunshine and warmth , with early grape blossom and a hot summer. Pinot Noir benefited from the long, stable ripening periods and the good water supply at higher elevations like Frankenthal. The grapes were small-berried, highly concentrated, and very healthy—the ideal conditions for powerful yet precise base wines for sparkling wine.

Conclusion:

The 2020 Frankenthal Blanc de Noir Brut Nature is a masterpiece from Alexander Schregel: powerful, precise, uncompromisingly dry , and with great elegance. It combines the cool minerality of the steep slope with the depth of long lees aging. Strictly limited to only 800 bottles , it marks a new high point in the young success story of this Rheingau winemaker—a sparkling wine for connoisseurs and collectors alike.