Location and classification
Frankenthal corresponds to the vineyard officially designated as Assmannshäuser Frankenthal in the Assmannshausen district of Rüdesheim am Rhein in the Rheingau. The single vineyard is one of the named vineyard sites of Assmannshausen.
Topography and soils
The vineyard is oriented to the south-south-west, lies at 120 to 180 metres above sea level and has a slope gradient of around 40 to 45 percent. The classified area is 16.10 hectares. The documented soils are phyllite slate with clay deposits; local descriptions also mention quartzite with slate inclusions as well as loess in the lower slope areas.
Grape variety and classification of the wines
For the classified site, Spätburgunder is indicated; according to a local description, Frankenthal is planted exclusively with Spätburgunder. In their youth, the wines are associated with berry fruit; after longer bottle ageing, also with notes of nuts and almonds. The red wines from this site were highly valued in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Assmannshäuser Frankenthal is classified as a VDP.ERSTE LAGE®. This classification is a VDP classification and not a category under German wine law.
