Bottles of 2008 Domaine de la Romanee Conti may prove to be particularly difficult to get hold of, as the Burgundy estate has revealed that the year saw a particularly low yield.

Domaine de la Romanee Conti produced just 263 cases of its 2008 vintage, a figure which is 40 per cent lower than its average yearly yield, the Drinks Business reports.

Winemakers at the Burgundy vineyard have blamed weather conditions during the year, which saw rain fall almost constantly from flowering until mid-September.

Aubert de Villaine, co-owner and co-director of Domaine de la Romanee Conti, told the publication that some berries were saved and exposed to brighter weather.

He added that these circumstances gave 2008 Domaine de la Romanee Conti "the ripeness and maturity of a great vintage but at a cost in yield that is so savage".

However, Mr de Villaine can expect 2009 to be a much better vintage for the estate. Numerous wine critics at early tastings of 2009 Burgundy have lauded its high quality and drinkability.