An exceptional collection of fine wines was sold by Sotheby's in London earlier this week for a total of £1.6m.

Of the 101 lots, there was no doubt about the most desired vintage as two sets of twelve bottles of Château Lafite 2000, and one set of six magnums.

The premier cru wine is well known amongst wine lovers for its great nose, dominated by loganberries and taste of black fruit and plums. It concludes with a lovely, long ripe finish.

Tastings suggest that the wine contains some elixir of youth, as it is preserving its youthful acidity, and whilst already fine is expected to be at its absolute peak in a couple of decades' time, hence a particularly worthy investment.

Estimated at £8,000-9,000 for each of the three lots, the vintage prompted vigorous bidding from collectors and they all easily exceeded their estimates being taken away for £14,375, £13,800 and (for the magnums) £13,225.

Those interested in starting a wine collection may be interested in reading our exclusive interview with Sotheby's Serena Sutcliffe MW, or the story of a great wine collector, Park B Smith, which we covered in a recent newsletter.

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