The Mascot is a wine that originated as an experimental blend shared only with friends and family.
The Mascot is a small-production wine label founded by Will Harlan in Napa Valley, first release in 2008 made from seven distinct hillside vineyard-specifically from the younger vines of Harlan Estate, Promontory, and the five small vineyards within the BOND portfolio. 
The blend typically consists of approximately 85-95% Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of other red Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. 
 
"When I think of the 2021 vintage, the two words that come to mind are strength and drive." — Cory Empting
 
As the 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.