2018 The Mascot Cabernet Sauvignon

The Mascot is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, made from several hillside vineyards; in particular 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 in which the Mascot wines were distributed among the family, the winemaking team and close friends. Extracting fruit from blocks of young planted vines, The Mascot shares an earnest glimpse into the evolution of its parent estates: a youthful snapshot of the future.

After a vintage full of changing circumstances and demanding decision moments, the steady and pleasant progress of the 2018 vintage sometimes left the team in limbo. However contradictory it may seem, the dramas that sometimes punctuate the final months before the growing season help to determine the course of the winemaking team; yet the uneventful sequence of weeks between spring and fall in 2018 left the question of when to harvest almost entirely open. Healthy rainfall in March and April preceded a pleasant summer, the mildness of which was only briefly interrupted by a few warming periods. The fruit from the young vines maintained a measured balance that gave the team little indication that harvest was imminent. Fog and temperate days followed in September, making it ideal to start picking. And that 2018 were top years for Harlan, Bond and Promontory with 100/100 points wines is also reflected in the 2018 Mascot and with this perfect season this is confirmed in the subtle, ethereal power of the vintage

The Harlan Mascot 2018 first reveals itself with deep, brooding aromas of dark fruit, black tea and spicy notes. The texture expands around a lifted structure, while powdery tannins gently dissolve. This diffuse, enigmatic softness is anchored in the mid-palate by a satisfying density, preparing the senses for a lively long elegant finish.

FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose Collect in the Checkout page. We are 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 varied 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 story about a white English bull terrier named Kid had a special place in our upbringing; the first edition copy that once stood on the shelves of Wil Harlan's grandparents' library. Kid's indomitable spirit and nobility lead him through tough 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 struggle to survive and ultimately secure his redemption.

The 2nd inspiration and source of The Mascot's label - came from the Harlan family's collection of favorite carvings. 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 also possessed a distinguished pedigree, but instead of showing it 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 the bank sponsored and, as legend has it, brought victory to his teammates by hitting a long fly on the diamond. They consider Prince and Kid to be blood brothers, related in their attitude 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 Prince's penchant for a warm welcome), The Mascot continues to introduce newcomers to the deep and cozy pleasures of Napa Valley Cabernet, opening the door to the grands vins of the family whose yet deeper roots await.