£85k of wine stolen from Château d’Yquem

Thieves have made off with £85,000 worth of Château d’Yquem after breaking into a warehouse at the renowned Sauternes estate on Sunday night.

According to a source close to investigators, the looters made off with 380 half bottles of the 2010 vintage, which are estimated to have a value of £85k.

While their entry into the warehouse activated the château’s alarm, the thieves were able to flee before the police arrived, the source said.

Chateau d’Yquem confirmed the robbery but gave no details of the event.

While the 2010 vintage isn’t the most lauded of recent vintages made by the estate, half bottles of the sweet wine can still fetch close to £250.

The only Sauternes to boast Premier Cru Classé Supérieur status, Château d’Yquem is considered to be one of the world’s greatest wines.

Collectors have paid record prices for historical vintages dating from as early as the 18th century.

Last week, it emerged that online wine retailer 1855.com was caught trying to sell Château d’Yquem 2012 en primeur despite the fact that the estate didn’t make any of its top wine last year as director Pierre Lurton didn’t deem the quality good enough to merit a vintage.

“A brand such as Yquem must know when not to make a vintage. For the sake of the brand’s image and place in history, it’s reasonable to not make a 2012,” Lurton announced last December.