2017 The Mascot Cabernet Sauvignon

The Mascot is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon made from several hillside vineyards; specifically the younger vines from BOND, Harlan Estate and Promontory - so from the same terroir and made with the same dedication by the same team. It started as a small project where the Mascot wines were shared among the family, the winemaking team and close friends. Drawing fruit from blocks of young planted vines, The Mascot shares a serious glimpse into the evolution of its parent estates: a youthful snapshot of the future.

The 2017 harvest proved to be one of those seasons that tested the perseverance of both the winemaking team and the vines. The exuberance of early spring was briefly interrupted by hailstorms, followed by heat waves that framed the summer months and accelerated the ripening of the fruit. Despite these conditions, they took a calculated risk by waiting. Decades of experience on these soils have taught the Harlan team to exercise restraint, allowing the vines, even the younger ones, to rely on their own accumulated ‘wisdom’ where possible. This discipline paid off: as temperatures normalised, sugars recovered, acidity was maintained and harvest began shortly afterwards. We were particularly fortunate to be able to produce **Mascot** from grapes harvested before the wildfires began in the autumn.

These setbacks seem to have enhanced the character of the wine. The wine emerged from the challenges with purity and finesse, which is a testament to the quality of the vineyards themselves. The relative warmth of the growing season is absent in the glass, replaced by freshness and a zesty tension. The nose reveals notes of red fruit and elements such as earth, warm spices and leather, which are often relegated to the finish. Graceful tannins and lively acidity accompany a crystalline structure that is fine and radiantly transparent.

FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose Pick up in Checkout page. We are located almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.

ABOUT THE MASCOT LABEL

A single common thread guided our choice of a name and label for this new creation: our shared passion for dogs. The dogs that make up our team are a diverse bunch, but they all show loyalty, energy, kindness, perseverance and heart.

They found further inspiration in two additional sources. The first was The Bar Sinister, published in 1903, by Richard Harding Davis, a friend of Theodore Roosevelt and one of America’s greatest war correspondents, reporting from the front lines during the Boer War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I. His classic tale of a white English bull terrier named Kid held a special place in our upbringing; the first-edition copy once graced the shelves of Wil Harlan’s grandparents’ library. Kid’s indomitable spirit and nobility carry him through hard times on the streets of Montreal to glory as a blue-ribbon winner on Long Island. But above all, family loyalty and a passion for justice fuel his fight to survive and ultimately secure his redemption.

The 2nd inspiration and source of The Mascot label - came from the Harlan family's collection of favorite engravings. The image was of a white English bull terrier named Prince that the Farmers Deposit National Bank of Pittsburgh had commissioned to illustrate its stock certificates. One version of Prince's career suggests that he too had a distinguished lineage, but instead of showing him off, his owner, the bank's president, kept him in the flagship. Prince lived at the bank and stood guard there, enthusiastically greeting customers and employees. He also served as mascot for the local baseball, football and hockey teams that the bank sponsored and, as legend has it, led his teammates to victory by catching a long fly on the diamond. They consider Prince and Kid to be blood brothers, related in their attitudes of integrity, conviction and loyalty.

Both four-legged figures remind us that true honor lies not in the enduring courage and generosity of spirit that open new doors of understanding—for ourselves and for others. In keeping with this belief (and with Prince’s penchant for a warm welcome), The Mascot continues to introduce newcomers to the deep and convivial pleasures of Napa Valley Cabernet, opening the door to the grands vins of a family whose even deeper roots await.