Buying very expensive old wines

[Bloated]

I went into Jeroboams wine shop in Belgravia last week and they had single bottles of DRC La Tache 1979 (£564), 1945 d'Yqem (no label, £1000), as well as many similarly highly-priced wines on one of their shelves.

I have never bought wine at those prices but I still find it difficult to believe that someone would buy a wine of that age 'off the shelf' as it were...

[Steve Plotnicki]

Well you don't think the d'Yqueem has been on that shelf for 57 years do you? You need to inqure about their provenance. Also, in what condition was the label in, as well as the fills in the bottle?

[Craig Camp]

Depends totally on the reputation of the merchant - and then it is still a big risk. Listen to Steve - you better find out where those bottles have been all this time.

[Beachfan]

I would assume that buying it off the shelf isn't worse than buying it at auction or at a restaurant? It depends on what they know re: provenance, and how much you believe what they tell you.

[GordonCooks]

Pay with AMEX - it's cheap insurance.

[ctgm]

Jeroboams is owned by Laytons, who are a reputable wine merchant. I personally would not worry that the wine is on a shelf as they well know the risks involved with heat/sunlight.

If you were interested I could sell you a bottle of 1944 Yquem at half the price as well as some 1955s. If you are worried about provenance these bottles have been lying in one of my customers cellars since "new".

[IrishCream]

Pay with AMEX - it's cheap insurance.

What do you mean? That if the wine is....what? AMEX will give you your money back?