Bonhams' sale of Fine and Rare Wine on March 29 featured consignments from some of the world's top producers. A bottle of 1921 Chateau d'Yquem, which was recorked at the Chateau in 1991, was one of the auction's top lots, bringing £4,600, well within its £4,400- 5,200 pre-sale estimate.

A Chateau d'Yquem 1921 sold for £4,600

A lot comprising three bottles of Chateau d'Yquem 1947 (one top, two high-shoulder fill) sold for £4,370, 47.5% more than its high estimate of £3,000.

Six magnums of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1996 sold as one lot for £8,625 against a pre-sale estimate of £7,000-8,000.

Two identical lots, which each consisted of one imperiale of Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 2000, both brought £4,140, sitting within their estimated sale price of £4,000-5,000.

The sale is further evidence of the wine market's continuing growth.

As we reported earlier this month, values for leading Bordeaux wines are up 3.36% since the start of the year, and 8.86% pa since March 2010, according to the Liv-ex Fine Wine 50 Index. Since January 2000, values are up 6.45% pa.

The index tracks 50 Bordeaux first growths, produced between 1999 and 2008, including Haut Brion and Lafite Rothschild.

In 2011 alone Christie's reported a growth in wine sales of 25%, while Bonhams posted 50% gains in 2010 and 2011.

Watch this space for all the latest wine news including details of upcoming auctions and sale results.