Alinea new releases

Natascha Jacka, who will turn 32 this December, was just 30 when she won our 2024 Next Generation Awards, a competition celebrating winemaking talent under 35. Born in Welkom, Free State, she began her career as a chef before discovering her calling in wine. She graduated cum laude with a B.Agric from Elsenburg in 2020 and launched her own label the following year. Tasting notes and ratings for her latest releases are as follows:

Viura 2024
Price: R275

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 aciditiy. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

White Blend 2024
Price: R775/magnum

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 n 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. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Grenache Noir 2024
Price: R290
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. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Syrah 2024
Price: R775/magnum
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. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

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