Musician Chris De Burgh is selling some of the finest wines from his spectacular collection, such as Chateau Latour 1961 and La Mission Haut Brion 1961, because he cannot bring himself to drink them.

Speaking exclusively to Decanter, the Lady in Red singer insisted he bought wines to drink rather than for investment, but he just can't bring himself to uncork the great bottles.

At the heart of his collection is a case of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1945, which still sits in the original straw it was packed in nearly 65 years ago.

Despite sharing his love of wine with many close friends, he told the publication that all his visitors scoff at the idea of opening the case.

"We all baulk at opening a case of the 45. It's almost like taking down the Mona Lisa and putting it in the toilet," he said.

Alexandre Thienpont, owner of Vieux Chateau Certan in Pomerol, told the Scotsman recently that he believes the quality of Bordeaux 2009 may exceed either the 1945 or 1961 vintages.