At the table with The Mascot 2021
Grilled rib of beef, herb-crusted rack of lamb, venison fillet with berry sauce, beef daube, aged Comté.
Our wines for
Let's talk little, let's talk wine
The Mascot 2021The Mascot
The Mascot is made from young vines on the Harlan family's properties in the Napa Valley, California. The grapes come notably from the Harlan Estate, BOND and Promontory vineyards, set on the slopes and hills of the western side of the valley. These high-altitude terroirs benefit from varied soils, often rocky and poor, as well as the cooling influence of San Pablo Bay. The Californian sunshine, tempered by sea breezes, encourages slow and complete ripening of the berries, combining concentration, freshness and a precise expression of Cabernet.
Made from grapes grown on young vines on the estate's Napa Valley properties, this red cuvée is blended from several Bordeaux grape varieties. It is aged in French oak barrels to refine its structure and integrate its tannins.
This wine reveals notes of blackcurrant, black cherry and blackberry, lifted by hints of violet, cedar, tobacco, graphite and sweet spices. The ageing highlights a touch of toasted oak without masking the brightness of the black fruit. The palate is broad, dense and silky, carried by balanced acidity and fine yet structuring tannins. The long, harmonious finish extends the flavours of black fruit, minerality and cocoa.
Where are we traveling?
Napa ValleyUnited States
It lies an hour's drive north of San Francisco, nestled between the Vaca Mountains to the east and the Mayacamas to the west, forming a narrow valley barely 50 kilometres long. The vineyards stretch from the cool, foggy south near the marshes of San Pablo Bay to the hot, enclosed north around the small town of Calistoga, passing through the legendary villages of Oakville, Rutherford and St. Helena. Its winemaking history begins in the 1830s with George Yount, but it was the Judgement of Paris in 1976 that propelled Napa onto the world stage, when a Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars outscored the greatest French crus in a blind tasting. The climate is Mediterranean, hot and dry in summer, tempered by morning fogs that roll in from the bay and funnel into the valley, giving the grapes the cool nights essential to their balance. The diversity of soils is remarkable, from valley-floor alluvium to the volcanic rock of the hillsides, with no fewer than sixteen distinct sub-appellations. Napa Valley has become the world benchmark for Cabernet Sauvignon thanks to opulent, concentrated wines of exceptional longevity, complemented by broad, generous Chardonnay, silky Merlot and a handful of Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel that bear witness to the richness of a terroir that has become legendary.
The little history of the country
United States
In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors into California that boosted the Californian wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in Sonoma and Napa. At the start of the 20th century there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the Californian wine industry, so much so that by 1933 only 140 wineries were still producing wine. It was not until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was then known mainly for fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous wineries were founded (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.). In 1976 a landmark event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgement of Paris". It pitted the greatest French wines against the American newcomers. On 24 May, an unexpected result shook the wine world when, to everyone's surprise, the United States came out on top. Yet the competition remains fairly unknown to the general public. Today there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Although California largely monopolises the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
All about The Mascot 2021
At what temperature should The Mascot 2021 be served?
Between 15 and 17 °C.
How long can The Mascot 2021 be kept?
Ageing potential: 10 years or more, until at least 2031. Store the bottle lying down, away from light, at around 12 °C.
Which grapes make up The Mascot 2021?
Grapes: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Origin: California, United States. Alcohol: 14.5%.
What to serve with The Mascot 2021?
The Mascot 2021 pairs well with lamb, beef, hard cheese and game. Our dish ideas are in the food pairing box at the top of the page.