After producing classic vintages in 2009 and 2010, the finest Bordeaux wines have commanded high prices in recent years.

Yet while First Growth Bordeaux such as Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Margaux and Chateau Latour may be the best of the best, there are many quality bottles to be found in estates' second wines, Reuters reports.

Many of the top estates so revered by drinkers produce second wines, including Lafite and Latour.

Vineyards such as these have become very particular about grape selection as they look to secure a consistent style and taste for the Grand Vin.

However, many of the grapes that do not make the grade are still of extremely high quality, creating unheralded yet enjoyable second wines.

Le Petit Mouton de Mouton-Rothschild, Pavillion Rouge, Carruades de Lafite-Rothschild, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion and Les Forts de Latour are the second wines of the First Growth Bordeaux estates, and all sell for significantly less than their more well-known counterparts, according to Reuters.

Chateau Beychevelle sells an Amiral second wine that has also received praise from critics.

Managing director Philippe Blanc told the news provider that the second wine may be less "emblematic", but it is the product of a great deal of care and expertise.

Furthermore, at his estate, Mr Blanc says that the second wine enjoys a much larger portion of the grape harvest than it used to.

"In 1982, four per cent of the harvest went into the second wine, now it is 40 to 45 percent," he said.

Second wines are not part of the 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines, but they are permitted to use the same appellation as the Grand Vin, as the terroir is the same.