In an article for Reuters, decanter.com editor Adam Lechmere said Robert Parker's words may well have had a significant impact on this year's Bordeaux prices, but buyers in his native US seem unwilling to splash out.

Chinese buyers accounted for 60 per cent of value sales on average for Bordeaux en primeur 2009, he said, although by volume they bought just 15 per cent.

However, US buyers have been somewhat indignant at the prices of Bordeaux 2009, which have in large part been driven up by high praise from the eminent Robert Parker. Petrus, for example, is going for £3,000 per case.

"But the list of superbly drinkable and age-worthy wines at less than £25 a bottle is long, and many of the small to medium-sized merchants are thanking their stars that that's the case," added Mr Lechmere.

Robert Parker gave 18 wines near-perfect scores of 98-100 this year, saying the 2009 vintage may prove to be one of the finest he has tasted in 32 years.