Vintage prices at Christie's

The dearth of top-quality, rare wines was illustrated by the prices fetched at Christie's Claret and white Bordeaux sale, which was held in London last month.

Highlights of the sale devoted to wines offered in bond included Cheval Blanc 1982 at £2,145 a case and Pichon-Longueville Lalande 1982 at £858 a case.

Prices for the most sought-after vintages continue to edge up. The "superstar" Château Petrus 1981 achieved the notable price of £5,500 per case, and even the 1979 sold for £1,925.

Larger bottles are back in demand and magnums of Pichon Lalande, Cos d'Estournel 1992 and Palmer 1983 achieved considerably higher prices than their standard bottle counterparts.

The recent vintages of 1988, 1989 and 1990 did brisk business, but only the 1990 reached a significant price.