The Mascot Napa Valley 2021

The Mascot began as a family wine, unnamed, unlabeled—a blend made for and poured at our own table. The components were of the highest pedigree, harvested from the younger vines of the Harlan family domain.

The domain traces its beginning to the founding in 1984 of Harlan Estate, located in the western hills of Oakville and conceived as a “first growth of California.” In 1996, the family established BOND, a portfolio of “Grand Cru” vineyards whose wines showcase the range of expression of cabernet sauvignon across distinct geographical sites within the Napa Valley. Promontory, whose land the family acquired in 2008, is led by the family’s second generation and represents a 21st-century approach to winegrowing. As these varied sites were gradually replanted, many of the young vines contributed to my project. Yet, despite these distinguished origins, my early endeavor could only hint at the individual character embodied by each of our grands vins.

The Mascot is a Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon made from distinct hillside vineyards; specifically, the younger vines of BOND, Harlan Estate, and Promontory. It started out as a small project shared among the family, winemaking team, and close friends. Drawing fruit from blocks of recently replanted vineyards, The Mascot shares a glimpse into the evolution of its parent estates: a youthful snapshot of their future.

As the 2021 growing season approached, a relatively dry winter would usher in just over nine inches of rainfall from January through June. Temperatures were moderately cool during these months, but given the low precipitation, we decided to proactively reduce yields through pruning at the very start of the season—enabling our vines to conserve and focus available resources. The month of May brought flourishes of warmth when flowering began, and the vines, seeming quite happy with the state of things, carried through the remaining ripening season with flying colors.

The wine that emerged was at once supple and poised; its mantle of red fruit accented by dark details, like crimson velvet embroidered with fine violet threads. The tannins are smooth and sheer, with resolute acidity, lending to the palate a distinct classicism. The wine’s breadth gradually gathers itself from its periphery and focuses its energy toward a penetrating finish. This nobly proportioned structure is surprisingly approachable—especially for a vintage from the Napa Valley, whose wines are already renowned for their potential longevity.

Producer: The Mascot

Country: USA

Region: California

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Napa Valley 
 
Vintage: 2021
 
Size: 750ml