{"title":"The Mascot","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"the-mascot-napa-valley-cabernet-2019","title":"The Mascot Napa Valley Cabernet 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Mascot Napa Valley Cabernet 2020\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 750ml Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Will Harlan from the younger vines of three legendary estates. Sourced from BOND, Harlan Estate, and Promontory vineyard blocks, this wine captures the DNA of some of California's most celebrated properties in a style that emphasizes freshness and early approachability.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2020  |  Producer: The Mascot by Will Harlan\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Mascot was founded by Will Harlan, whose family oversees Harlan Estate, BOND, and Promontory — three of the most revered wine programs in Napa Valley. The wine is assembled from fruit grown on the younger vines across these properties, giving it access to exceptional terroir while reflecting a more youthful energy than its parent labels. The blend typically runs 85–95% Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The 2020 harvest began on August 16th — roughly 30 days earlier than vintages from 15 years prior — and critically, the entire crop was brought into the winery before September 26th, when wildfires swept through Napa Valley. That earlier picking window gave the 2020 a notably brighter acidity and fresher overall character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep ruby-red in the glass, The Mascot 2020 is aromatically explosive. Violet, licorice, and dark cherry lead, followed by red earth, freshly roasted espresso beans, graphite, cedar, and forest floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is muscular yet seductive, with inviting blackberry and mulberry layers that build across the mid-palate. Dark plum and dark cherry provide density, while graphite-like minerality adds structure and focus. Velvety tannins frame the fruit without overwhelming it, reflecting the vintage's balance between power and freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is lingering and measured, with subtle earthy undertones and a return of dark cherry and cedar. A thread of bright acidity — characteristic of the early-harvested 2020 vintage — keeps the close vibrant and clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink The Mascot 2020\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis wine rewards decanting for 30–60 minutes before serving at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F. It is built for drinking on its own, though it also has enough structure to stand up to food. A classic Cabernet-based cocktail like a \u003cstrong\u003eNew York Sour\u003c\/strong\u003e can showcase its dark fruit intensity against a lemon-wine float. In a \u003cstrong\u003eKalimotxo\u003c\/strong\u003e, the wine's muscular tannins and cola-like spice hold their own against carbonation. For an unconventional pairing, a red wine \u003cstrong\u003eSangria\u003c\/strong\u003e built around the 2020 vintage benefits from its bright acidity and berry depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing a serious wine lover to the Harlan family portfolio without the allocation barrier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCellaring for 5–10 years as a mid-term investment in a developing wine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a special-occasion steak dinner or holiday roast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting to a Napa Valley Cabernet enthusiast who appreciates pedigree\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does The Mascot 2020 taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It delivers a core of dark cherry, blackberry, and mulberry with supporting notes of graphite, espresso, cedar, and earth, all framed by velvety tannins and lifted by bright acidity characteristic of the early-harvest 2020 vintage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does The Mascot 2020 compare to Overture by Opus One?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are Napa Valley Cabernet-dominant blends positioned as more accessible expressions from elite estates. The Mascot draws from younger vines across three separate Harlan family properties (BOND, Harlan Estate, and Promontory), while Overture is a multi-vintage blend from Opus One, resulting in different stylistic profiles — The Mascot emphasizing single-vintage character and site-driven complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs The Mascot 2020 good for cellaring?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — its firm tannin structure and bright 2020 acidity suggest it will develop well over 5–10 years, though it is approachable now with decanting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is The Mascot 2020 made?\u003c\/strong\u003e The Mascot is produced in Napa Valley, California, from fruit sourced across the vineyard holdings of Harlan Estate, BOND, and Promontory — all located in the western hills of Napa Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with The Mascot 2020?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled ribeye steak complements its dark fruit and tannin weight. Braised short ribs mirror the wine's earthy undertones. Aged hard cheeses like aged Gouda or Comté highlight its cedar and graphite notes. Roasted lamb with rosemary echoes the herbal complexity. Dark chocolate desserts pair naturally with its espresso and blackberry character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does The Mascot 2020 come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The Mascot 2020 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs The Mascot 2020 worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e The Mascot positions as a premium Napa Valley Cabernet that provides access to Harlan family vineyard sources at a fraction of the cost of Harlan Estate or BOND, making it a compelling value proposition within the luxury California Cabernet category.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy The Mascot 2020?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat sets The Mascot apart from other premium Napa Cabernets is its direct lineage — every vine that contributes to this wine grows on the same hillside sites that produce Harlan Estate, BOND, and Promontory. The 2020 vintage adds a distinctive wrinkle: the early harvest, completed before the region's devastating wildfires, yielded a wine with fresher acidity and a more vibrant profile than many of its Napa Valley peers from the same year. For collectors and enthusiasts who recognize the Harlan family's standing in American winemaking, The Mascot is the most direct point of entry into that world. It stands not as a lesser wine, but as a younger expression of the same terroir that has defined Napa Valley's reputation at the highest level.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Mascot","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837709054121,"sku":"30433","price":189.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/The-Mascot-Napa-Valley-Cabernet__71659.jpg?v=1730491425"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/the-mascot.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}