Roger Goulart Gran Reserva Brut 2020 — gold label sparkling bottle, extended lees-aged Cava from Catalonia — available at The Wine Box Kenya.

Bruce Jack Reserve Chardonnay 2025

In stock

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KShs2,675 incl. of VAT

Order before 9PM for same day delivery within Nairobi. Next day delivery for orders outside Nairobi

Unlike heavily oaked Chardonnay from warmer climates, which can feel broad and flabby, this Reserve maintains acidity and mineral drive. Furthermore, the 20% new oak keeps the wine’s vineyard character in focus. As a result, the texture is creamy without being heavy, and the finish is saline rather than sweet. For those comparing premium white options in Nairobi, this Walker Bay Chardonnay offers a level of site-specificity and restraint that rivals Burgundy at a significantly lower price point.

Tasting Notes
Pale gold with green highlights. The nose is layered and evolving. Initially, white peach, lemon curd and struck flint dominate, the wild yeast signature is immediate. However, with a few minutes in the glass, toasted almond, vanilla pod and a faint dried seaweed note emerge from the French oak and lees contact. Furthermore, preserved lemon, white pepper and a chalky minerality develop over time. On the palate, the wine is full and textural. The entry is creamy before the acidity tightens through the mid-palate. Additionally, the 10 months in French oak leave a trace of toasted hazelnut and baking spice alongside flavours of ripe pear, quince and a hint of ginger. The finish is long and mineral — crushed oyster shell, lemon peel and a faint saline trace that persists for 40 seconds.
Food Pairing
This Chardonnay demands food with weight and richness. Pan-roasted sea bass with beurre blanc and butter-poached lobster are therefore the strongest matches. The wine’s acidity cuts through cream cleanly, while the toasted oak mirrors the butter sauce. Additionally, roast chicken with tarragon, mushroom risotto and aged Gruyère work well at the table. The texture and depth suit dishes with fat, cream or umami. For a Nairobi evening where the occasion calls for a white wine with genuine presence be it a business dinner, an anniversary lunch, or a gathering where the menu leans French — this is the bottle that holds its own against red wine alternatives.
What You Need to Know:
What does this Chardonnay taste like compared to unoaked styles?
Unoaked Chardonnay is crisp and primary — green apple and citrus with no texture from wood. This Reserve has 10 months in French oak, giving toasted almond, vanilla and a creamy mouthfeel. However, the 20% new oak keeps it restrained — it is not the butter-bomb style of 1990s California.
Is this wine too oaky for someone who usually drinks Sauvignon Blanc?
 If Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is your reference point, this will feel fuller and more textural. The citrus and minerality are present, but the oak adds cream and spice. It is consequently a step up in weight rather than a radical departure in flavour.
Should I drink this now or cellar it?
It drinks well now at 10–12°C. However, the acidity and lees-derived texture will integrate further through 2027. Not a long-term cellar candidate, but it will improve short-term.
What food works best with this Chardonnay?
Pan-roasted sea bass with beurre blanc, butter-poached lobster and roast chicken with tarragon are ideal. The full body and creamy texture suit rich fish and poultry with cream sauces. Additionally, mushroom risotto and aged Gruyère work for vegetarian options.
Why is Walker Bay considered a cool climate for South Africa?
The Hemel-en-Aarde valley sits less than 5 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean. Morning fog and afternoon sea breezes moderate temperature, extending the growing season. As a result, Chardonnay ripens slowly and retains acidity — a rarity in a country known for heat.
Does the screwcap affect how this wine ages?
No. Screwcap eliminates cork taint and ensures consistent ageing. For a wine intended for consumption within 4 years, it is the more reliable closure. The wine is not built for long-term cellaring, so the gradual micro-oxygenation of cork is unnecessary.
What should I do if this bottle is out of stock?
Our customer service team can help you find a suitable alternative or source the product where possible. Reach out before your event.
How fast can I get this Chardonnay delivered in Nairobi?
Nairobi orders placed before 9 PM qualify for same-day delivery, typically completed within a 1-hour window. Free delivery applies to orders above KES 3,000 within Nairobi. Orders outside Nairobi are delivered nationwide across Kenya within 24 to 48 hours.
Vintage: Varieties:

Description

A barrel-fermented Chardonnay from cool-climate Walker Bay, now available in Nairobi, Kenya. The 2025 vintage delivers texture and citrus precision through wild yeast and 10 months in French oak.

Product Facts
Vintage: 2025
Producer: Bruce Jack
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Vineyard: Estate and selected vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley, 80–200 metres elevation
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Category: White Wine Style: Full bodied, oaked, textural
ABV: 13.5%
Production Method: Hand-harvested; whole-bunch pressed; wild yeast fermentation; 10 months in French oak, 20% new barrels; partial malolactic fermentation; lees stirred monthly
Closure: Screwcap
Serving Temperature: 10–12°C; no decanting required
About The Winery
Bruce Jack established his winery in 1994 in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley, Walker Bay. The approach was deliberate: identify the coolest sites in the Cape, plant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and intervene minimally in the cellar. Wild yeast fermentation, restrained oak and lees stirring became the house signatures. The winery has since become a reference point for premium Cape Chardonnay. Jack’s background in viticulture informs a vineyard-first philosophy. For buyers in Kenya, Bruce Jack represents one of the most reliable sources of cool-climate South African white wine — a producer whose name carries weight among sommeliers who value acidity and texture over ripeness and extraction.
Free Delivery

We provide FREE DELIVERY for orders above Kshs. 3,000 within Nairobi. Orders outside of Nairobi will attract delivery charges, which will be calculated based on the cart size and your location. Orders outside of Nairobi are delivered through a logistics partner Fargo Courier.

Delivery Countrywide

We deliver anywhere* in Kenya and Orders outside of Nairobi will attract delivery charges, which will be calculated based on the cart size and your location. Orders outside of Nairobi are delivered through a logistics partner Fargo Courier.

*Please note that conditions apply to deliveries to Lamu and some coastal regions.

Free Click & Collect

We offer FREE Click & Collect services where you can choose to place your order on our website and collect it from our Warehouse in Karen. We're located at 76/77 Dagoretti Road, Karen (Opposite The Hub Karen) and your order will be ready within 60 minutes of ordering on the site. This is also a great opportunity to get to meet us in person (we'd love to meet you!).

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