Investor interest in First Growth Bordeaux labels such as Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Latour has had a knock-on effect for smaller vineyards, it is claimed.

The value of vintages from Chateau Pichon-Longeville, a 300-year-old estate from the Medoc region, has surged in recent months, according to Bloomberg.

One particular favourite has been the 1990 Chateau Pichon-Longeville, a case of which recently went for more than $5,300 (£3,300) at an auction in Chicago.

Peter Lunzer, chief executive of London-based wine fund Lunzer Wine Investments, told the news provider that many Bordeaux labels have experienced good growth recently, but Chateau Pichon-Longeville is an exceptional case.

"The amount of money they have spent on it is eye-watering. There is potential for price appreciation," he said.

However, Chateau Pichon-Longeville has some way to go before it beats the record price ever paid at auction for a single bottle of wine. A 1947 Cheval Blanc this month sold for $304,000 (£191,000).

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