Whole Picture Cab Franc - Write for Wine: It's Wine O'Clock Somewhere!Write for Wine: It's Wine O'Clock Somewhere!

If you love Cabernet Franc, be sure to try this upcoming release from Hard Row to Hoe. You might know it from previous vintages as Burning Desire, but it’s now called 2018 Whole Picture Cab Franc. In other words, Hard Row produces this organically farmed, luscious wine under its new Whole Picture label, which features wine made exclusively from their estate vineyard. Read on to learn more about this gorgeous wine, and more about Whole Picture.

Whole Picture Cabernet Franc 2018 (SRP $55)

Welcome to one of our favorite Cab Francs in Washington state, year after year. Similar to previous vintages of Burning Desire, Whole Picture 2018 is a rich, velvety-smooth 100% Cab Franc. Right now, the wine is young. Further, it is unfined and unfiltered. So we decanted it for five hours, and watched it evolve with time. Stellar. This beauty features dark cherry, blackberry and plum flavors with hints of dark chocolate, coffee and licorice.

Meanwhile, we shared this lovely Cabernet Franc with our dear friend and wine expert, Jenise Stone. Her tasting notes are perfect: “Brambly boysenberry flavors dominate. Stylish mouthfeel with understated oak and perfect acid-tannin balance (after a five-hour decant). Excellent.”

This photo depicts two Cab Francs bottled under the Whole Picture label – this estate Cab Franc and a new Amphora Cabernet Franc, which is light-bodied, elegant, lively and food-friendly. That is to say, these two styles are very different but they both are delicious.

Whole Picture

Above all, the new Whole Picture label showcases sustainability and organic farming, in addition to other notable vineyard and winemaking practices by winemaker and Hard Row to Hoe co-owner Judy Phelps and her husband, co-owner and vineyard manager Don Phelps.

Hard Row to Hoe is a family-owned and operated estate winery in the Lake Chelan Valley, established in 2005. Subsequently, Judy says she and Don have grown as winemakers and vineyard owners, which is evident in the new Whole Picture label and wine series. However, you can only buy these wines online and at the tasting room because of the small production.

Whole Picture Cab Franc Summary

In conclusion, drink Whole Picture Cab Franc 2018 after decanting. Or, unlike us, exercise patience and cellar it for a few years. Most importantly, we love Hard Row to Hoe Cab Franc year after year, and this new vintage continues the trend.

Certainly, we recommend you taste this wine, when it is released in May. Firstly, you can purchase all their wines on their website. As well, you can find some labels at certain wine shops. Likewise, you can buy them at the winery tasting room. Meanwhile, we highly recommend a visit if you are vaccinated and even remotely close to Lake Chelan.

Thanks for the sample, Judy. You know we’ll be buying more once it’s released!

Previous recent stories about Hard Row to Hoe:

Find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Cheers!
Margot and Dave