bubbles
Lady Edythe Reserve
Frank Family Vineyards
Vintage & Drinking Window
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Drinking Window
2026 to 2032. Having spent nine years on its lees prior to its early 2024 disgorgement, this 2015 vintage is entering its early peak phase now, showing vibrant tension that will slowly mellow into honeyed tertiary richness by 2030.
Perfect time to enjoy!
Vintage Notes
The 2015 growing season in Napa and Carneros was defined by the peak of a punishing multi-year Californian drought. Unseasonably warm winter temperatures led to early budbreak, followed by a cool May that caused uneven fruit set and shattered clusters, dramatically reducing yields. Summer brought intense heat spikes, prompting an accelerated ripening curve. To retain the piercing acidity required for the Lady Edythe Reserve, the fruit had to be harvested rapidly and significantly early, coming off the vines by August 6. Despite the climatic stress, the low yields produced fruit of staggering intensity and concentration. Within the broader regional context, 2015 sparkling base wines show richer fruit profiles than the cooler 2011s or 2012s, making them highly expressive but occasionally challenging to keep structurally taut.
AI Confidence: 85%
$110.00 - $130.00 USD
93/100Outstanding
Sophie's Take
Listen to Sophie talk about Lady Edythe Reserve
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Grape Varieties
Chardonnay 66%
Pinot Noir 34%
Style: The Lady Edythe Reserve explicitly stakes its claim on a foundation of structural tension. Balance is achieved through the push-and-pull of its high, mouthwatering acidity against the softening, creamy influence of nine years on the lees, fully integrating the 12.0% ABV into a harmonious whole. Intensity is pronounced right at the front of the palate, driven by focused citrus energy, while complexity relies heavily on the marriage of fresh primary orchard fruit and deep, savory tertiary autolysis. Length is commendable, though a slightly abrupt finish keeps it grounded in the very good rather than the profound tier. In terms of typicity, it is a highly classic representation of a top-tier Carneros traditional method sparkler—energetic, fruit-forward but tethered by ocean-breeze salinity. Critics generally praise its elegance, with James Suckling awarding 91 points and noting how vibrant notes of red cherry and raspberry intertwine with mellow apple and pear, lifted by a lively acidity. However, reservations exist within the critical community regarding its value proposition; independent reviewers have noted that while the wine offers undeniable complexity and depth, it is not going to knock your socks off and there are certainly better values out there. This wine is NOT for buyers seeking the austere, chalky severity of zero-dosage Grand Cru Chablis or grower Champagne, as the California sunshine always peeks through the fruit profile. By purchasing this bottle, a buyer trades the electric, mineral-driven precision of European classics for broader Californian richness and the romanticism of the Frank Family story. A consumer entirely focused on value and razor-sharp linearity would likely be better served by Roederer Estate L'Ermitage, Iron Horse Joy!, or Domaine Carneros Le Reve, which often deliver equal or superior complexity at a notably friendlier price point.
Alcohol: 12.5%
Tasting Notes
Bright lemon peel and tart Granny Smith apple on the initial nose
Sharp, arrow-like acidity that cuts a precise line down the palate
Fine, persistent mousse delivering a creamy, velvet texture
Underlying currents of buttered toast and rising brioche dough
Mellow white peach and spiced pear emerging in the mid-palate
The finish shows medium-plus length, lingering nicely on notes of toasted almond and citrus zest, though it drops off just before achieving true transcendence
Professional Ratings
Wine Spectator: 93/100
James Suckling: 91/100
Decanter: 95/100
Serving Recommendations
Temperature: 7 to 9 C (45 to 48 F)
Decanting: Decanting is unnecessary, but serving in a wider white wine glass and allowing 10 minutes of air contact will broaden the autolytic aromas from tight biscuit to rich toasted hazelnut.
Food Pairing:
Roast chicken infused with lemon and thyme
Raw Kumamoto oysters with classic mignonette
AVOID: Seared Ribeye steak or heavy red meats, as the sheer weight of the fat and protein will instantly crush the wine's fragile acidity and render the delicate bubbles metallic and bitter.
Argentinian chicken empanadas (the rich pastry echoes the wine's brioche notes)
Fried green tomatoes (the acidity slices right through the fried cornmeal crust)
Blinis topped with creme fraiche and Ossetra caviar
Buttered movie-theater popcorn (a surprising textural match that bridges the wine's lactic and toasted layers)
Winemaking & Vineyard
Production Notes:
This traditional method sparkling wine is drawn entirely from the estate Lewis Vineyard in Los Carneros. The property itself rests on the historic footprint of the Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars, marking a return to sparkling roots for an estate now famous for blockbuster Cabernets. The founders, former Disney executive Rich Frank and Leslie Frank, established the winery in 1993. The Lady Edythe cuvee honors Rich's mother. Her story is one of classic American resilience; she met Hy Frank, a Brooklyn meatpacker, on a blind date, only to discover they lived on the same floor of the exact same apartment building. While Hy served in World War II, Edythe sustained the family by working at Macy's. That narrative of dedication is bottled here, though not without the industry side-eye that often shadows wealthy Hollywood executives purchasing prime Napa history to sell triple-digit wines. Harvest took place quite early on August 6 during the blistering 2015 drought vintage, ensuring acidity remained sharp (pH 2.92, TA 1.025g/100mL). The base wines underwent primary fermentation before tirage and were left to rest on their lees for an astonishing nine years. This extensive aging regime allows the gradual breakdown of yeast cells to impart profound texture and biscuity autolysis. The wine was finally disgorged in February 2024. Production is painfully small, strictly limited to 1,000 bottles or approximately 85 cases. For the secondary market, this wine functions less as a speculative auction asset and more as an allocation-only jewel for the estate's devoted mailing list; its price trajectory remains entirely stable without much fluctuation. At $110, you are paying a premium for the Frank Family name and the extended cellar space required for a decade of aging. Honest verdict: A distinguished 16-point sparkling wine that delivers luxurious texture and authentic autolytic complexity, though it struggles to justify its triple-digit price tag against Carneros peers.
Vineyard Details:
Fruit is sourced entirely from the Lewis Vineyard in the Los Carneros AVA, near the cooling influence of San Pablo Bay. The vines sit on shallow, dense clay-loam soils that naturally restrict yields and stress the plants, forcing intense concentration in the resulting small clusters. Strong maritime breezes whip through the canopy daily, thickening the grape skins and maintaining the sharp natural acidity crucial for serious sparkling wine. The site holds historical gravitas; it was once home to the Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars, one of California's pioneer sparkling estates.
Awards & Accolades
• James Suckling 91 Points
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Fun Facts (1)
Sophie
The 52/48 Chardonnay-Pinot Noir blend here is classic California méthode champenoise territory, but what's clever is how that extra Pinot gives it more richness and those brioche notes without sacrificing the elegant acidity—it's basically the Goldilocks ratio for Napa sparklings.
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