Alinea, the label by Natasha Jacka, fittingly means the beginning of a new train of thought. Her wines speak with a brave, curious voice, exploring little-known regions and varieties with remarkable finesse. Crowned for producing the Top Overall Wine in the FedEx Next Generation Awards, Natasha is a winemaker to keep both eyes — and palates — on.
What began as a small lockdown project has evolved into pure Noordhoek epicness! Natasha and her family planted two minute vineyard blocks, including an intriguing white field blend of Grenache Blanc, Verdelho, Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Colombar, and Semillon. Scoring 95 points, Christian Eedes describes it as having ‘elusive aromatics of pear, peach, yellow apple, naartjie, flowers, herbs and earth – intricate, layered and long’.
The second block, a coastal Syrah facing the windswept Atlantic, has drawn equally high praise. ‘Utterly arresting’, writes Eedes of the Alinea Syrah 2024, awarding it 96 points. We couldn’t agree more. If you love spicy, olive tapenade-y, dark fruited Syrah, this was made for you.
Only available in miniscule quantities (only a barrel of each), what makes this project even more special is that it’s bottled in magnums! Magnums offer remarkable ageing but they’re also the only way to drink wine this summer.
Natasha explores new regions and varieties that speak of origin and place. Rioja’s most important white grape, Viura (or Macabeo), has found its way to South African soils — and Natasha is among the few producers to give it her unique touch. Expect notes of mandarin, peach, and gentle earthiness wrapped in a beautifully textured structure. She believes this variety holds great promise in South Africa thanks to its drought resistance and resilient nature.
And last but not least, her Piekenierskloof Grenache 2024 is one to note. Scoring 94 points from Eedes, it’s 100% whole-bunch fermented and with Natasha’s delicate extraction the wine is perfumed with fine herbal nuances, crushed rose petals, and a vivid red-fruited energy.
A bright future awaits this bold and thoughtful winemaker — and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
Please place your order online.
Tasting Notes:
Alinea Wines White Blend 2024
‘Grapes from a tiny Noordhoek block (650 vines) planted on an empty horse paddock as project during the Covid-19 induced lockdown of 2020 – interplanted to Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Grenache, Colombar, Roussanne and Semillon. Spontaneously fermented and matured for 100 months in an old 300-litre barrel. Elusive aromatics of pear, peach, yellow apple, naartjie, flowers, herbs and earth. The palate is dense and creamy with well-integrated acidity and savoury-salty finish. Difficult to describe but super-intricate, layered and long.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100
Alinea Wines Syrah 2024
‘Grapes from a 750-vine block adjacent to the white field blend in Noordhoek. A haunting nose begins with smoky reduction before unfolding to dark berries, olive, violets, fynbos, and pepper. The palate is taut and focused, driven by bright acidity and an umami-laden finish. Utterly arresting.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100
Alinea Wines Viura 2024
‘Grapes from a Simonsberg-Paarl vineyard. Spontaneously fermented and matured for 10 months in old 500-litre barrels. The nose shows subtle notes of mandarin, peach, earth and a touch of reduction. The palate is textured rather than overtly fruit – rich and full of flavour with moderate acidity.’ –Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 92/100
Alinea Wines Grenache Noir 2024
‘From a Piekenierskloof planted in 2012. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Matured for nine months in an old 400-litre barrel. Strawberry, red currant, orange, rose, fynbos and garden herbs on the nose. Lean, fresh and tannic, a compelling bittersweet quality to the finish.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100
