Carruades de Lafite has led a wider trend in the rising prices of Bordeaux's second wines, which also include Le Petit Mouton and Forts de Latour.

Recent vintages of Mouton Rothschild's second wine are in high demand, according to figures cited by the Drinks Business, with the 2008 up by 12 per cent since March and even the 2007 up by 50 per cent.

"Interestingly, it is the 2007s that have enjoyed the greatest price increases as the Far East's favoured first growth brands from this poor-scoring vintage begin to mimic the performance of better and more famous years," commented Patrick Schmitt of the Drinks Business.

He suggested that the vintage's popularity may be due to its availability, as the Asian market still seems uncomfortable with the idea of buying en primeur.

Other notable second wines from Bordeaux properties include Leoville-Las Cases' Clos du Marquis and Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux.