Mascot wine is a term used to describe a type of wine that is produced by a winery as a secondary label or a second wine. This means that the wine is produced using grapes from the same vineyard as the winery's premium or flagship wine, but is made with slightly different quality standards. The term "mascot" is often used because these wines are seen as the "face" or representation of the winery's brand. They are typically produced with the intention of being more approachable and affordable than the winery's main wine, making them a popular choice for everyday drinking. Mascot wines are often made from younger vines or from grapes that did not make the cut for the winery's primary wine. They are generally produced in smaller quantities and may be aged for a shorter period of time compared to the main wine.

The Mascot Napa Valley 2019

A glimpse into the purity and precision delivered from the Harlan Estate family of wines is truly a sensory showcase through all their wines from the magnificent 2019 vintage, the 2019 The Mascot is pure magic!

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.

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The Mascot Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018

The Mascot cabernet sauvignon – from the young vines of HARLAN ESTATE, BOND, and PROMONTORY – is about as head-spinning and delectable as Napa cab gets. If you want something special – but don’t want to shell out $500, $800, $1000, or more for one of the Harlan’s top tiers. this is just a fantastic option at a great price!

This wine was born from the Harlan family’s own table wine, which was made by the young vines of the Harlan and Bond estates, and created into a more friendly, softer style that wouldn’t require the years (decades?) of aging that their flagships all command. They came to love the wine so much they insisted that the winemaking team bottle some for release, and there you have it. The Mascot was born.

With a first vintage in 2008, this is still a relatively new project, and this 2018 vintage is fantastic! One of the best we’ve ever had, to be certain, with all the pedigree, power, and purpose that one would expect from the Harlan family of wines in the epic 2018 vintage. Napa cabernets across the valley soared in that pristine growing season, but these Harlan plots were just exceptional!

Promontory, for instance, took home 4, yes FOUR 100-point scores in 2018, with another two for Harlan, and a final 100-point score for Bond. The Mascot is never submitted for scores as a rule, but man… that is a pedigree that is simply impossible to ignore. We’re talking the same vineyards as the big boys (Harlan and Promontory’s estates, plus Bond’s Melbury, Quella, St. Eden, Vecina, and Pluribus!), with the enigmatic young phenom, Cory Empting, leading the winemaking, all aged for nearly 3 years in barrel, sourced from the 5-12 year old vines on the various properties. Another 18+ months in bottle brings this harmonious and transcendental beauty into perfect balance. Vastly delicious, deep, and complex wine with beautifully harmonious sweet blue and black fruits, graphite, mocha, cigar box spice, and a long, skin-tingling finish. It is everything one would look for in classy, bold, and supremely polished Napa cabernets.

PAIRING IDEAS: Pony up for a big ol’ cowboy ribeye on this beast. Sear it over an actual live fire, transfer to a skillet with thyme and a couple of cloves of garlic, and then baste and baste some more with butter. don’t be shy. You’ve earned this.

About the Producer

THE MASCOT is a small, exclusive, virtually all mailing-list-only Cabernet Sauvignon. We encourage you to Google the source wines for this blend (listed up top there) for more info and to peruse the vast amount of praise, history, and critical acclaim that these projects have achieved (our guess is, most of you are QUITE aware already). With an unrivaled commitment to excellence, they all rank among the finest wines being produced anywhere on earth. The Mascot project is spearheaded by Will Harlan (the second generation) and the winemaking team blends selected lots of Cabernet from these three brilliant properties to make a vastly delicious, deep and complex wine with beautifully harmonious sweet blue fruit, graphite, cigar box spice and a long, skin-tingling finish.

The Mascot Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

Since its inception in 2008, The Mascot has been the continuation of the Harlan family legacy. Will Harlan, Bill Harlan’s son, wanted to introduce the Harlan experience to a broader audience, and with the wine bug buzzing in his brain, he devised a plan. He spent years alongside the Harlan winemaking team (winemaker emeritus Bob Levy and winemaker Cory Empting) as they crafted the BOND, Harlan Estate, and Promontory wines through countless meticulous blending sessions. From these three wineries under the Harlan umbrella, the team isolates the best lots from adolescent, 5 to 12-year-old vines which are (by any definition) top-tier wines but which ultimately will not be blended into the final wines from those estates. From that unbelievable source material, the team has crafted another spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon of remarkable character, structure, charm, and superb aging potential for The Mascot. More accessible in both style and price, the Mascot provides a unique glimpse into the evolution of these revered wine-growing estates.

The 2019 will satisfy your palate with profound contentment, allowing you to relish your choice to stash a manageable amount away for prolonged enjoyment. Winter leading into the 2019 growing season delivered impressive rainfall (nearly 30 inches in the first four months) that lasted into May. The cool, wet spring delayed bud break; yet this respite in a sequence of mostly arid years imbued the young vines with renewed energy. The wine is beautifully supple with a broadly fanned aromatic spectrum and an effortless depth of fruit.

They are generally produced in smaller quantities and may be aged for a shorter period of time compared to the main wine. Despite being considered a secondary label, many mascot wines are still of high quality and can offer a glimpse into the style and character of the winery's flagship wine. Many wineries use the production of a mascot wine as a way to showcase their winemaking skills and introduce consumers to their brand.

Mascot wines can vary in style and price, but are typically priced lower than the winery's main wine. They can be found in a range of varietals, including reds, whites, and blends, and may be produced in different regions around the world. Overall, mascot wines are a great way for wineries to offer a more affordable option to consumers while still maintaining the quality and character of their brand. They provide an opportunity for consumers to explore a winery's style and taste their wines without committing to the higher price point of the flagship wine..

Reviews for "An Ode to Mascot: Celebrating the World's Most Beloved Wine"

1. Jessica - 2 stars

I was really disappointed with Mascot wine. The taste was just not to my liking and it felt like it lacked depth and character. It felt like an average, generic wine that you can find anywhere. I expected more from a wine that claims to be a premium brand. I won't be purchasing this wine again.

2. Michael - 1 star

Mascot wine was a huge letdown. It tasted cheap and had a harsh, acidic aftertaste. The aroma was also unpleasant and made the whole experience unpleasant. I've had much better wines at a fraction of the price. I wouldn't recommend wasting your money on Mascot wine.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

I tried Mascot wine based on the recommendations of some friends, but I couldn't understand what the fuss was about. The flavor was mediocre at best and it didn't bring anything new or exciting to the table. I found it to be overpriced for what it offered. Overall, I was underwhelmed and wouldn't purchase it again.

4. John - 1 star

I found Mascot wine to be quite disappointing. It lacked complexity and had a one-dimensional taste. The balance between acidity and sweetness was off, leaving a strange aftertaste in my mouth. I expected more from a wine with a higher price tag. I won't be buying it again and would advise others to do the same.

5. Emily - 2 stars

I had high hopes for Mascot wine, but it just didn't live up to my expectations. The flavor was average and didn't stand out in any way. It lacked the complexity and depth that I look for in a good wine. For the price, there are much better options available. I wouldn't recommend Mascot wine to any wine enthusiasts.

Sipping in Style: Discovering the Art of Mascot Wine