A new state of discernment (5)
I believe the answer is:
taste
'discernment' is the definition.
(having discernment is having good taste)
'a new state' is the wordplay.
'a new' is an anagram indicator.
'state' with letters rearranged gives 'TASTE'.
'of' is the link.
(Other definitions for taste that I've seen before include "Sensation in the mouth caused by food" , "Selectivity" , "Sense showing refinement" , "Flavour or discrimination" , "Sample - discrimination" .)