The value of Chateau Lafite Rothchild has rocketed to such a point that a single drop of the stuff - around one millilitre - is now worth the same as a bottle of Blossom Hill, the UK's most popular brand of wine.

In the Wall Street Journal, Will Lyons said excitement is already building for Chateau Lafite Rothschild's 2010 vintage, which oenologists believe could even top this year's stellar performance.

However, in an interview with the newspaper, the chateau's head winemaker Charles Chevallier remained modest about the brand's success and said it was too early to judge whether the 2010 will surpass 2009.

"It is not only the harvest, of course, that is very important and the maturity of the grapes is of great importance, but after that the blending and aging of the wine is also important," he said.

The chateau will open its doors in April for en primeur tastings of the 2010 vintage.