The Mascot Napa Valley 2021

Producer notes: 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.