Nascent
Nascent is the estate’s defining statement in a blended white wine, which owes its inspiration to Octagon’s achievement in our reds, and its existence to the worthiness of varietals we’ve developed in our signature style, from winegrowing to fermentation to blending to aging. Like Octagon, Nascent draws on varietals of the most consistent success, confirmed in international competitions and criticism since the turn of the century.
From harvest to the wine’s release in bottle is a voyage of 3 years. Fermentation for Nascent’s Viognier is not in stainless steel as it is for Viognier Reserve, but takes place in 660-gallon thick-staved casks of very low-porous Austrian oak, minimally toasted. Here the principle of neutrality in our house style is lent the most advanced subtlety and suppleness in the result. For Vermentino and Falanghina, the neutrality of our Reserve white style in stainless steel is furnished instead by our classic 60-gallon used barriques of neutral French oak.
Vintage Factors
Year
2019
Cellar Life
15yrs
2018 will be remembered by all Virginia growers as one of the most challenging, characterized by a mild spring with early and very fruitful bud break, followed by well above average rainfall in June and July which required extensive leaf pulling and mowing. In our district we experienced a warm and fairly dry August which allowed good to very good ripening, certain parcels with greater water drainage performed at high quality levels.
Awards
Robert Parker Wine Advocate, 05/2023 | 90 Points |
Vinification
Fermentation | In large Austrian Oak Cask and neutral French oak barrels |
Aging | 12 months in Austrian and neutral French oak casks, 20 months in stainless steel, 4 months in bottle before release |
Blending | Viognier 76% Vermentino 18% Falanghina 6% |
Analysis | Alcohol, 13.0% |
Residual Sugars, 0.1% | |
Total Acidity, .60% |