"A glimpse behind the curtain of what's to come..." — Amanda Harlan, Managing Director
The Mascot is the newest wine addition to the Harlan Family's portfolio and is crafted from younger vines from Harlan Estate, BOND Winery, and Promontory. The estate was founded by Bill Harlan's son, Will Harlan, and is managed by his daughter, Amanda Harlan. Less than 500 cases of this Cabernet Sauvignon are produced each vintage, representing the perfect entry point into the Napa Cult giant.
The Mascot Wine: Harlan Family Winemaking
Will Harlan first established The Mascot as a table wine for family and close friends by blending fruit from younger vines from each of the Harlan Family's vineyards. Upon graduating from Duke University, Will quickly abandoned his small startup to return to winemaking. After serving the wine at numerous dinners, the Mascot gained such a devoted following that the Harlans formalized the bottle under their portfolio. Thus, the inaugural Mascot Wine was crafted in the 2008 vintage to less than 500 cases. Its label was contrived by the Harlan family's love of English bull terriers, as Will Harlan cites Kid, the canine protagonist from Richard Harding Davis' The Bar Sinister, and Prince, the dog featured on stock certificates of the Farmers Deposit National Bank of Pittsburgh, as inspiration.
Eventually, Will Harlan commissioned the San Francisco-based graphic design company, Pate International, to create the label; the agency is the mastermind behind the labels of fellow Napa giants, Opus One, The PlumpJack Group Wines, and Jackson Family Wines.
The Mascot Napa Valley: Terroir and Vineyards
The Mascot wine was developed as a singular expression of Harlan Estate, BOND Winery, and Promontory, comprising young Cabernet Sauvignon from the family's seven hillside vineyards. The vines average 10 years of age, and less than 2% of the total plantings are rerooted each year. Once harvested, the fruit is fermented and aged for 3 years at each of the three wineries, then is finally brought together at the final blending table. Though the final blend is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, it contains small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.
The Mascot Cabernet Sauvignon: Notable Vintages
The Mascot is made to be approachable in its youth and ready-to-drink upon release, providing the perfect entry point for Napa drinkers to experience Harlan Family winemaking. Bottles are known for their smooth tannins, penetrating finish, and easy drinking. Some notable vintages of The Mascot include the 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2020 editions.
The Mascot Wine 2020
The 2020 vintage of the Mascot wine was heralded as one of the young estate's greatest efforts, featuring nuanced tannins, acidity, and weight, The nose and palate are marked by dark cherry, plum, and rosemary notes, leading the estate to note, "The 2020 vintage resonates rather than roars."
The Mascot Wine 2015
The 2015 vintage of the Mascot is one of the estate's most sought-after wines thanks to the smaller yields produced in the harvest. Despite the low production, the wine displayed The Mascot's signature styles: vibrant, cerebral, and approachable upon bottling. After over a decade of bottle-aging, the 2015 Mascot is in its wheelhouse and ready to enjoy.
Add a Bottle of The Mascot Wine To Your Cellar
The Mascot hails from one of Napa Valley's most coveted winemaking teams, the Harlan Family. Produced from the same grapes used in the coveted main labels, The Mascot is a perfect representation of the cult giant and offers discerning drinkers an approachable entry to the estate. Our collection spans multiple vintages of this young estate, all ready-to-drink upon arrival.
Browse our in-stock selections of The Mascot wines today and grab a bottle for your cellar.
Who owns the Mascot winery?
The Harlan Family owns The Mascot winery, and Will Harlan is the proprietor. The label was founded in 2008 and has acted as an independent wine since its inception.
What vineyards go into the Mascot?
Each of the seven vineyards from the Harlan Family are blended into the Mascot, including Harlan Estate's vineyard, Promontory's vineyard, and the five sites within the BOND portfolio.
Is The Mascot 100% Cabernet Sauvignon?
No, The Mascot contains small amounts of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. However, the wine is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant.
How does The Mascot differ from other Harlan wines?
The Mascot is crafted from younger fruit compared to the other Harlan wines and is made for drinking in its youth.
How long is The Mascot aged before release?
The Mascot is aged for four years before its release, meaning the bottles are ready-to-drink upon production.
