The Keeper is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah sourced from three of Washington’s most distinctive vineyards—Artz Vineyard, Alder Ridge Vineyard, and Elephant Mountain Vineyard.
Artz Vineyard on Red Mountain is known for producing wines of longevity, structure, and power. The vineyard was planted in 1997 by Washington winemaking pioneer Fred Artz on the lower bench of Red Mountain overlooking the Yakima River. Cabernet Sauvignon from this warm site produces wines with ripe red berry notes framed by structured tannins. Elsom has been working with this vineyard since the winery’s inception, and Jody Elsom has fond memories of her son, Logan, hunting vineyard snakes with Fred Artz many years ago.
The Malbec hails from Alder Ridge Vineyard, one of the first established sites in the Horse Heaven Hills appellation. Although sitting in a warm region, the vineyard’s proximity to the cooling wind off the Columbia River moderates and extends the growing season, encouraging complexity and balance in the finished wine. This vineyard is consistently one of our last to harvest every year since we began working with it in 2008. We find that Malbec thrives in this environment, developing a balanced acidity and intriguing notes of dark fruit and cocoa accented by a peppery savory spice. Malbec is a favorite variety of the Elsom Cellars team, and it shines in this blend.
Merlot and Syrah from Elephant Mountain Vineyard round out the wine. The vineyard is situated on a series of southern-facing high elevation slopes in the Rattlesnake Hills AVA within Yakima Valley. The vineyard’s elevation and orientation lessen the risk pf spring and fall frosts, allowing for a long growing season particularly well-suited to Rhone varieties such as Syrah. Merlot from this site contributes body and softens the tannins for the overall blend, and Syrah lends a complexity and black pepper spice notes.
Altogether, the wine presents a complex and intriguing portrait of Washington State wine.
