Le Bon Vivant Vins - Fine Wines

04/10/2024

C’est la période des vendanges dans le Médoc! La plupart des châteaux ont terminé ces derniers jours les vendanges courtes et difficiles ! J’admire l’esprit et la determination de ces gens pour faire le travail du mieux qu’ils peuvent ! Même si 2024 ne sera pas une année exceptionnelle….n’oublions pas que les bon vignerons en feront quand même quelque chose de bon! À demain….au Marché de Verteillac !
It’s harvest time in the Médoc! Many châteaux have now finished what was a short & difficult harvest ! I admire the spirit & determination of all involved to get the grapes in & underway as best they can. 2024 will not be an exceptional year by any stretch but let’s not forget that the good winemakers amongst them will still make something good! See you tomorrow at Verteillac market! 🙌

06/09/2024

It’s OFFICIAL! I am selling the best Bordeaux Rosé as selected by top Bordeaux sommelier Omar Barbosa in a recent blind tasting of 50 Bordeaux Rosés!
A real success of Andrea Lobre the winemaker behind this delicious modern style Rosé ……emulating the Rosé style of her homeland Argentina. Joining her husband Jean-Christophe Lobre…4th generation of his family making stunning wines in the Entre Deux Mers region of Bordeaux! I tasted this back in January & thought it was a real stand out! Also picked up the Médaille d’Or at the Concours de Bordeaux 2024.
Come & buy some at Verteillac Market tomorrow (& every other Saturday there on)! All send me an email- [email protected]

24/04/2024

Bordeaux Semaine En Primeurs -Saint-Julien, Moulis En Médoc, Listrac-Médoc.
Tous les châteaux de l’Union Grands Crus se trouvent au Château Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle cette semaine.
Mes meilleurs suggestions de Saint Julien: Château Gloria, Château Talbot, Château Langoa Barton, Château Branaire Ducru. (Voir les photos)
Listrac-Médoc: Château Fonréaud, Château Clarke.
Moulis En Médoc: Château Chasse-Spleen
In my opinion….these will be superb!

Chateau Talbot
Château Branaire-Ducru
Château Chasse-Spleen
Bordeaux Wine Lovers

24/04/2024

Day 2 -Bordeaux En Primeur Week!
Clocked in nice & prompt for the Paulliac, Saint-Estèphe & Haut Médoc at Château Lynch-Moussas.
More stunning wines from the Grand Crus of course. Have to say particularly proud to see Cru Bourgeois Chateau Beaumont continuing to knock it out of the park! Anthony Yaigre Beaumont’s technical director (pictured here) delivers an exceptional wine once again! On my top score listings amidst Ch. Batailley, Ch. Phélan Ségur, Ch. Lynch Bages.

23/04/2024

Super morning spent swirling & slurping the 2023 Bordeaux vintage….(still ageing in barrels) presented to the international wine press & wine trade this week in Bordeaux. The châteaux of each appellation are collated in one central Châteaux. My stand outs this morning were: Ch. Giscours, Ch. Brâne Cantenac, Ch. Cantenac Brown, Ch. Lascombes & I remain a loyal fan of Château Siran! Owner Édouard Miailhe featured in a photo.

23/04/2024

La semaine des Primeurs de Bordeaux 2023!
Je suis officiellement invitée en capacité professionnelle!
I am very excited to be sailing across the Gironde estuary to the Médoc to join the Good & the Great of the World of Wine in tasting the 2023 vintage which is still ageing in barrels of some 120 chateaux! Following this important week the prices will be set for the En Primeurs launch in the next couple of months.

20/04/2024

Was at Château La Ressaudie in the Montravel appellation of Bergerac this week collecting wine & catching up with vigneron & owner Frank Mageira. The vines are bursting into full leaf, the tiny delicate bunches of grapes are formed. The soil at the base of the vines is lightly tilled. The full expectation of another great vintage for this Château. The Bergerac Rouge, Blanc & Mœulleux continue to be excellent value top sellers for me. Not to mention the delectable Montravel Blanc & Rouge…..which are both stand outs at Wine Fairs across France. Regularly featured in Hachette Des Vins! All available at Le Bon Vivant Vins. Please come & see me on Verteillac Saturday market!

24/01/2024

Lynx Wine Estate, Franschhoek.
We always include this on our tasting trip! We first discovered their Cabernet Franc in 2014 on one of the many amazing food & wine pairing menus available in the outstanding restaurants of Franschhoek. The winery foothills of the Klein Drakenstein Mountains was just a single very plain basic tasting room then…in fact we arrived at the same time as the architects who were designing the new facility. It’s always interesting to follow wine estates on their journey & celebrate their successes. A very knowledgeable hostess Nancy took us through the current range of wines! The Rosé Blanc de Noir made from merlot grapes was the stand out for me! 🍓 Also very cyclable from Franschhoek!

23/01/2024

TOKARA is today! The wine estate Tokara in Stellenbosch on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain encaptures everything beautiful about modern South African wines! Having planted their first Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the mid 90’s…this amazing facility has gone from strength to strength!
From quaffable day to day Sauvignon Blanc to prize winning Directors Reserve red & white blends! It was hard not to tick every line of the order form!

22/01/2024

My love for & exploration of South African wines continues!
First Tasting this year was at Beau Constantia…a vineyard situated in the Constantia region just outside Cape Town itself. Terraced vines with cooling coastal breezes from the oceans. You can just see False Bay in the far distant view.
My favourite wine was Lucca 2020….a 50/50 blend of Cabernet Franc & Merlot. I find the % switch of these Bordeaux grapes so interesting. I was blown away by the super enticing smell of ripe fig, spice & and strangely captivating floral aroma that I struggled to identify….apparently fynbos. (A bushy/heathy vegetation)

04/01/2024

Happy New Year to everyone !
Many thanks to my existing customers for their loyalty & visits ! Many thanks also to the new customers I have had the pleasure of meeting over the year ! It has all been fun! Here’s to more exciting wines & times in 2024!

Chers toutes et tous, je vous souhaite une très bonne année ! je remercie tous les clients existants pour leur fidélité et à mes nouveaux clients, ce fut un plaisir de vous rencontrer tous ! J’ai hâte de vous retrouver en 2024 et de vous présenter de nouveaux millésimes et vins !

10/12/2023

Who doesn’t love a Christmas Market?!
Deck the halls with bottles of Chablis….tra la la la la le la la la!

08/12/2023

Bourdeilles Xmas Market opens for 2 days of festivities tomorrow !
Sat 9 Dec 14h to 20h Sun 10 Dec 9h to 17h. I will be there selling great wines that I have chosen personally…Champagne & Crémant de Bordeaux ! Beautiful handmade wooden Vin de Bordeaux gift boxes! Come & see my selection !

07/12/2023

Just back …late..from Cambridge…been comparing wine cellars ! I will not be on Ribérac Market tomorrow….but I will be in my usual spot VERTEILLAC market Saturday morning….& Marché de Noël in Bouteilles Saturday afternoon & evening…plus all day Sunday ! Over 60 exhibitors ! Come & get festive!
Après une visite très courte à Cambridge…je ne serai pas au Marché de Ribérac demain. MAIS toujours présente au Marché de VERTEILLAC samedi matin et au Marché de Noël à BOUTEILLES….tout le weekend de 9 et 10 décembre ! Venez nombreux….vers une soixantaine d’exposants !!! 🧑‍🎄 🎁 🥂 🍷

07/12/2023

Just back from Cambridge……been comparing wine cellars !! 😂 👌
Not on Ribérac market tomorrow ! Je ne serai pas au Marché de Ribérac demain !
MAIS toujours présente au Marché de Verteillac samedi matin…….et après le Marché de Noël à Bourdeilles….environs une soixantaine des éxposants! Venez nous voir pour les cadeaux Noël et les vins et bulles pour les fêtes chez moi!
Will be in my regular spot at Verteillac market Saturday morning….followed by two days of the fabulous Christmas market in the magical setting of Bourdeilles! c.60 exhibitors

03/12/2023

3 Day Christmas Wine Fair….final day today! Lusignac 24320 Salle des Fêtes! It has been brilliant so far! A great reception to the fabulous wines I have selected for you! So proud to present these vineyards and wine makers! ❤️

21/11/2023

My very own WINE FAIR ! vendredi 1 Dec to Dimanche 3 Dec ! Come along & select your special wines & bubbles for Christmas!

07/10/2023