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Octagon2018

65.00

Library Vintages

Octagon

A wine of noble character, created by blending estate-grown Bordeaux varietals, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, Octagon’s great prestige rests further on its being created only in fine vintages, and with the most astute selection from the harvest. This is the highest expression of our estate’s European derivation and inspiration, crafted to be a wine of distinctive character and age worthiness in every incarnation.

 

Featured Profile

Octagon at the core

Year

2018

Cellar Life

20yrs

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. We experienced a warm and fairly dry August in our area, which allowed good to very good ripening in whites and certain red varietals, including Nebbiolo and select parcels of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc for Octagon, supported by daily vine attentions through the final weeks.

James Suckling.com 95 Points
Fermentation 6-10 days on the skins in stainless steel
Maceration 15 days
Composition Merlot 65%, Cabernet Franc 12%, Petit Verdot 23%
Aging 12 months French oak barriques, new 40%, used 60%
Analysis Alcohol, 13.0%
Residual Sugars, 0.1%
Total Acidity, 0.52%

Food Pairings

Osso buco alla veneziana

Chicken braised in Octagon and black olives

Sage and walnut-crusted lamb chop in rosemary jus

Tasting Notes

Beautiful and brilliant, deep garnet color; earthy aroma of forest floor, blackberry, currant, and dried herbs. Generous body with firm tannins, in great balance with the fresh acidity, a signature of this vintage and of excellent shelf life. Some notes of mocha and clove add spicy complexity. The experience on the palate is long and very pleasant, of supple texture which will favor pairings of a similar degree of lusciousness, such as roast duck, osso buco, and marbled beef.

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